Centerpoint Art Project continues it’s artist interview series with an inspiring Artist, Ted Meyer. 

Ted started painting for real in 1987 when a friend gave him some paint for Christmas with a card that read, “You keep saying you are an artist, paint!” Seven months later Ted sold 8 of the 11 paintings exhibited in his first show. Since that first show Ted’s work has been displayed in museums on 3 continents.

Quote: “ Scars mark a turning point in peoples’ lives; sometimes for good but often otherwise. Each scar comes with a story….My hope is to turn these lasting monuments, often thought of as unsightly, into things of beauty. ”

The Interview

1. Starting a career as an artist can be overwhelming. Do you remember a particular milestone you crossed that marked the beginning of this path for you?

I alway drew. As soon as I could hold a pencil I started drawing. I won my first art contest at about 6 or 7 and got my name in the paper. I think that helped me pick a direction. FYI, I drew a flamingo.

2. What three things do you think are the most important steps in launching a career?

Internal need to create.
Accepting that you might never get famous for it, so you just need to enjoy emoting.
Have a story to tell. Do art about something.

3. How long till you were actually creating a viable income stream as an artist? What hiccups did you experience, and may we ask how business is at the moment?

I actually make most of my income as a designer. I still can not live as a full time fine artist. But I have had a lot of success and gotten fantastic press, and my work seems to move people. I am happy with that.

4. Working artists often find a work ethic or rhythm to keep them focused, how do you work through the financial ups and downs?

I would do the same work no matter what. Edges might get pointier if I am stressed.

5. Do you find your success as an artist has provided you with a fulfilling lifestyle? Is it different than you imagined it would be when you began your career?

I love my life. I love the people I come in contact with. I love the things I do. I could not imagine another life.

6. Have you found it hard to sustain your career over time? How do you keep the trajectory on the rise?

The trajectory of my notoriety has been nothing but up. Again, I think it is important to realize that quality of art, and getting your message out, have nothing to do with gallery success. Gallery sales are not proof that you do good work. There are millions of people around the world that do fantastic work that never get shown.

7. In today’s technology driven world, how do you utilize online tools to increase your art sales?

Have a nice website portfolio Mine is www.tedmeyer.com

8. Traditional art marketing vs. marketing online through social media and digital presence ~ Have you struck a balance between the two?

The main thing is time. You could spend all day online getting linked to other people, galleries. I think the best thing is still personal connections. Friends from School. Gallery openings. Getting known in your circle as an artist so people recommend you for shows and projects. Have nice arty looking business cards and hand them to everyone who breaths.

9. What’s the best part about being a working artist?

The people you meet. They are creative and have open and expanding minds. Also, in the case of my Scarred for Life series, it does make a difference in people’s lives. I always love hearing from people around the world I have never met who tell me my work makes a difference in their lives.

10. Freestyle Time: What would you like to say to the striving artists reading this right now?

I think in this time of instant imagery, and electronic everything, that it is important to really learn to draw. There is more to drawing than manga. You should learn real human proportions, real observational skills. Take lots of life drawing. Over and over again people tell me they don’t need to learn to draw because Picasso didn’t paint realism. Well he did when he started, as did most other artists. Doing abstract work to cover shortcomings only gets you so far. Making real art takes time. Even if you land up doing minimalism-abstract work or electronic images, learning to draw the figure helps you observe the world around you.

Again, fame, acceptance and sales do not go hand in hand. I have had major press in all the country’s major papers. I’m thought of well in my field but I’m still living off design work. That is a reality. Someone might just like the story of the dead beat drug addict down the street who cleaned up his act and give him a solo show. That is the way it goes.

 We found Ted’s Scarred for Life Series profoundly Inspirational ~ View it

Ted won his first art show at age 6 after copying a flamingo that one of the older kids drew. The guilt of this image appropriation has followed him ever since.Ted started painting for real in 1987 when a friend gave him some paint for Christmas with a card that read,  Read More About Ted

Connect with Ted in Real Time

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 As an Artist, How do you define Success?