<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe goal was to make a living from art\u2026 I just had to be creative with my movements.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u2014 Vakseen<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nAbout Otha \u201cVakseen\u201d Davis III<\/h2>\n
Our guest today is a multi-talented artist and music executive, Otha \u201cVakseen\u201d Davis III (@vakseen<\/a>). Vakseen\u2019s work has been exhibited in museums and featured by major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Bombay Sapphire Gin. He is also a diamond and multi-platinum music executive, producer, and songwriter.<\/p>\n
Born to a military family in Athens, Georgia, and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Vakseen grew up artistically inclined, playing several instruments including the violin. He is best known for his vibrant acrylic portraits, including his \u201cVanity Pop\u201d series that celebrates diversity, and the \u201cLegends Only\u201d series that celebrates pop and cultural icons.<\/p>\n
Vakseen\u2019s art has been described by one of his collectors as having the ability to set the stage for a much-needed therapy session that challenges one to get to the root of any issues hindering progress or living one\u2019s best life. He believes that his art serves as his own antidote to maintaining sanity in the fast-paced entertainment industry.<\/p>\n
Despite his success in the music industry, Vakseen has been an active contemporary realist painter since moving to Los Angeles in 2011. His work has been shown in countless gallery exhibitions and featured in over 100 print and online magazines worldwide.<\/p>\n
Vakseen\u2019s aim is to produce art that consistently ignites discussion, captivates the senses, and connects people with his culture. He hopes to inspire young creators, especially those who look like him, to know that their voice is powerful, it matters, and every single dream is possible.<\/p>\n
\nRead \u201cThe Dirtiest Word in All of Art: Vakseen\u2019s Tips for Success\u201d<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nEpisode Highlights:<\/h2>\n
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- Maintaining High Standards: <\/strong>\u201cI treat each piece as a one-of-one. And my only competition is myself. So that means that when I do this next painting, personally, I feel a little pressure like this has to be crazier than that last piece.\u201d\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Creating with Purpose: <\/strong>\u201cWe\u2019re given these gifts to create, to share, and once we share, and put it out into the universe, it\u2019s important to take that energy and kind of live with it and pay attention.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Art Needs Marketing:<\/strong> \u201cI wish I had known just the importance of marketing for an artist. You know, my first CD, we spent years putting this together. And then by the time we released it, I didn\u2019t want to push that to anybody.\u201d\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Perseverance<\/strong>: \u201cThere\u2019s so much joy that comes with not knowing how to do something, figuring it out, and then making it happen. That kind of sums up the artist\u2019s journey.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Standing Out:<\/strong> \u201cIt was just very important to have a distinct style, a distinct voice, something that people can recognize.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Please enjoy!<\/p>\n
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts<\/a>, Spotify<\/a>, Overcast<\/a>, iHeart<\/a>, PlayerFM<\/a>, Podchaser<\/a>, Boomplay<\/a>, Tune-In<\/a>, Podbean<\/a>, Google Podcasts<\/a>, Amazon Music<\/a>, or on your favorite podcast platform.<\/p>\n
The transcript of this episode can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n