Today we’d like to introduce you to Alvin Codner.
Hi Alvin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to become a Full-Time Artist has been a long one. Growing up in Kissimmee, Disney, Nickelodeon, and Universal characters were always what I seen around on billboards, T.V., advertising, merchandise and more. Back then, I wanted to be a cartoonist or animator for Disney. After High School, I ended up going to Clark Atlanta University to play football, run track, and get my Bachelors in Fine Arts with a concentration of Mixed Media Studio Art. The ironic part of this story is that as soon as I got my Art degree in 2013… I stopped doing art. I became more interested in psychology, sociology, and public administration. I ended up attending Graduate schools from 2013 to 2018, receiving my Masters in Positive Psychology from Life University in Marietta, GA and my Masters in Non-profit Management from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. In 2019, I then decided to get back into the arts by becoming an Elementary/Middle Public School Art Teacher. Since then, I have been simultaneously teaching art and also practicing painting since I was traditionally a pencil/sketch 2d artist. With this being my 3rd year teaching… it will also be my last year teaching because I will be transitioning from being a teacher to a full-time artist.
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?
Nothing about this road was smooth. On my journey to get where I am at, I have been homeless, got in a fire accident where I received 3rd degree burns to my drawing hand, lost a lot of money by making some bad investments, lost a lot of sleep by having to overwork, sacrificed a lot of time/effort/energy… but as I look back at it now… it was all worth it because I am so grateful to the levels I have reached in my art career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Professional Fine Artist. My niche is Portrait and Landscape Paintings… but my products and services range from drawings, paintings, photography, videography, graphic design, silk screen printing, dancer, singer, rapper, musician, and more. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I am so well-rounded in all areas in fine art and I am capable of excelling and providing quality work to my current and potential clients.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was growing up in Kissimmee and just hanging out with my friends either at the city parks or Pleasure Island or downtown Orlando.
Contact Info:
- Email: acartshop5@gmail.com
- Website: www.alvincodner.com
- Instagram: @mrdatslife
- Facebook: Alvin Codner
- Twitter: @mrdatslife
- Youtube: @mrdatslife
Image Credits
Alvin “AC” Codner
