Today we’d like to introduce you to Cinque Smith.
Hi Cinque, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Born and raised in Dayton Ohio. I have professionally been active in selling my work for the better part of the last decade. I started off in Cincinnati Ohio putting on and curating my own shows. Because I have been involved with the food and beverage industry for the last 21 years, I have also established relationships that help me to facilitate things that are ordinarily out of other’s reach.
I have seen the fruits of my labor pay off by being relatable and accessible to my audience, all the while providing a product at a price that I deem fair. I try not to limit myself to one outlet and or genre, so over the course of the last few years, I have done work in various cities such as Chicago, New Orleans, California, New York, and Ohio. I’ve expanded my reach and audience by partnering with Wizard World Group and showcasing at their various Comicons. During my tenure in Arizona, I have worked with various local businesses such as The Celebration of Fine Art, Arizona Fine Art Expo, Keeler Hospitality Group, Matson Money, Phoenix Fan Fusion, and 9 The Gallery just to name a few. I have a wide range of clients whose price range can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand, depending on size time materials, etc.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Truth be told it has not been the smoothest road. There can be months where you are slammed with work, and others where the business is scarce. Every day bills and expenses, coupled with creative roadblocks. Or just not knowing if this is the career was the right choice can cloud your vision. The average individual assumes that artist don’t go thru deep struggles but that’s just simply not the case. Anxiety, depression, the constant fear of failure, rejection letters from galleries, investing thousands into shows and or media that don’t pan out or show a return on investment. These are just a few of the things that can either break you or mold you into something transcendent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work tends to extend itself to various areas of creativity. I work in graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylic, and India ink. Women I find are my strongest subject matter I cite my use of people as a vessel to have a commonality and a spiritual connection with the viewer. Through visual storytelling there has been no greater personal instrument that has guided and helped me to cultivate and manifest my artistry.
My work is a combination of different techniques with a strong emphasis on the human condition, thru color texture and symbolism. I don’t limit myself to one style medium and or said technique because my life is not beholden to one ideology. My inspiration and ideas change but the search for elevated humanity is never ending.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My best advice for those starting out is put in the work, talent is great but if you don’t cultivate it then it means nothing. Don’t be afraid to fail because that’s where you learn the best experiences from. A loss ain’t a loss it’s a lesson, appreciate the pain it’s a blessing. Only be in competition with yourself, push yourself to go as hard and as far as possible. Set goals every quarter because once you achieve them there is a sense of achievement.
Keep your own council but also try and find other artists to learn from and pick their brain. Learn how to take critiques but don’t let it consume you because you have the final say so. Find a mentor, apply for shows, contest, etc..When you do solo exhibitions keep at least one painting for yourself.
Learn to save money and reinvest back into yourself. Do not compare yourself to others we are all created unique and differently embrace that! Think less and draw more, and have fun because what we do is so special. Lastly remain humble it will carry you quite far!
Contact Info:
- Email: cinquesmith82@gmail.com
- Website: www.theartofcinque.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cinqueart/
