Today we’d like to introduce you to Randall Smith.
Hi Randall, 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?
I got to where I am today by beating my head against a wall and never giving up. I said yes to every opportunity to sell art at art shows, festivals, sidewalk events, comic cons. Wherever I could get in front of people to sell them my art I said yes to it.
Saying yes to everything, opened me up to new opportunities. I ventured into murals, I painted a dumpster in the Mills50 area, which led to painting a storm drain, the back wall of Ten10 Brewery and The Walls of Pho Hoa. As well as live painting at Graffiti Junktion and Sam Flax, live painting and being out in front of people really opened up my personality in a new way and grew my confidence.
With my art background and degree in Graphic Design, I became a Visual Designer at Artegon Marketplace. I was part of a talented design team, designing and building out small stores for other artists, crafters, and entrepreneurs. I learned at lot and had the opportunity to create some great things. In 2017, Artegon ceased operations, and not long later I moved to Asheville NC for 3 years where I operated my own art studio in The River Arts District. Asheville was cool but Orlando is my home.
I moved back in 2020 right before the pandemic, which gave me time to reimagine my robot character to more of a rubber hose style. Maybe inspired by a certain mouse, in the area. Using my newfound free time, I slowed down and took more time with my paintings as a usually had a tendency to paint fast, and now I think I really am doing my best work.
Towards the end of 2021 I landed my current role as Creative Specialist for Fun Spot America Theme Parks. I lead the creative vision for the all 3 parks, 2 Florida and 1 in Atlanta. I’m still chasing that creative dream, just channeling it in different ways! I think the next big step creatively for me will be to develop some of the stories in my head and seeing where I can take them.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road! I remember doing some local art events, setting up on the street, and being down to my last couple of dollars. I never had anyone tell me how to be a successful artist, it was all trial and error.
One of my biggest challenges is being my own worst critic, which I still am. But now I allow myself to celebrate a victory. I’m nicer to myself now than I was in the past.
I think the biggest thing an artist can do is take the leap and put themselves out there. It’s your dream, nobody is going to chase it for you.
I continued down the path of doing something creative and following my passion, no matter how hard it was because I never want to ask the question “What if?” later on in my life. I will always continue to grow in my own creative process.
I think if you are going to chase your dream in life, you should not have the audacity to think it’s going to be a smooth road!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am best known for painting robots. The first thing I painted was a robot, there was no reason for it and it just stuck. Now my art is about giving the robot emotions and having the audience connect to them. I want my art to make people smile.
The piece of art I’m most proud of is not a robot, it’s a rooster mural I did for Black Rooster Taqueria on Mills in Orlando.
I freehanded it with a brush, after a homemade projector failed. I think it’s the best thing I’ve done. In November 2021 Black Rooster opened a second location and they asked me to paint another rooster. It felt really good for them to ask to do that again.
The robot painting that I’m most proud of is the last one I finished and it was part of an Orlando-themed group art show at CityArts Factory in Orlando. It’s titled “The one with the fountain” It’s my robot character in a swan boat in Lake Eola. I think in some way the robot in the piece symbolizes my return home to Orlando.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I never had an artist mentor, but I picked things up from other artists by seeing what they do, how their setup looks and simply asking questions. I also think it’s important to leave yourself open to being inspired by everything around you. The world is full of so many things you see just in the day to day. A piece of advice would be to talk to people who aren’t artist but know marketing or business. That’s usually the advice artists need,
Mostly what worked well for me is being open to facing challenges, taking risks, and not being afraid to fail. I think there are a lot of things in life that you can face just like starting a painting. It may start out looking rough, you may have to do some creative problem solving, but the end result can be pretty awesome!
Contact Info:
- Email: Randallpaints1@gmail.com
- Website: www.iamrandallpaints.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallpaints
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randallpaints1
