We recently had the chance to connect with Justin Holdren and have shared our conversation below.
Justin, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Other than painting in the studio, I love getting out into nature with my camera and sketchbook. I can lose all track of time and escape the world when I am out in nature sketching. It also helps me to find myself again and feel refreshed, and I apply what I learn from sketching outdoors to my studio work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a mixed media visual artist from central North Carolina. I create paintings and drawings and divide my time between making work for galleries, doing private commission work, and teaching art.
After art school, I was working as part owner of a graphic design firm, but really was looking for another way to express myself. I always enjoyed drawing and painting, which I had done for years, but did not think selling my work could be a viable business,
That same year, I spent 6 weeks in Africa and that trip was life changing. After seeing so many amazing things and places on that trip, I decided I just wanted to draw and paint the beauty of my surroundings.
I started painting and drawing all of the time, and slowly started showing and selling my work. Most of my work is inspired by the landscape and nature, but I work on different series of works to explore new subjects. Now I sell my original work online and in galleries, and also do publish my art as fine art reproductions to reach a wider audience.
I love creating little “worlds” in my paintings that celebrate beauty and provide an escape for people.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was always, in my mind, an artist. As you get older, the world tells you that art is not a serious career and you have to work a traditional job. I was fortunate, after having many other jobs and painting at night, to finally have art be part of my daily life, both in my studio practice, and in teaching K-12 art.. I get the privilege to share art and create art every day.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think early on I had a lot of self doubt about my work. I was working nonstop to improve my craft, but was so afraid of people’s opinions about my work. That held me back from experimenting in my work, which is what fuels growth. After I stopped worrying so much about others perception of my work, I felt more free to create the type of work I wanted to, which has led to more opportunities.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In this digital world of short form videos, and social media, it is tempting to try the latest “art fad” because that person seems successful, but social media is deceptive and doesn’t always tell the whole story. Just because it is online on YouTube or social media does not mean it is a real foundational shift that is happening in the art world.
I do believe there have been foundational shifts that allow artists more control over their work now than in the past, since you are able to market yourself online and do not have to rely on galleries or gatekeepers if you choose not to.
My advice is to focus on your own work and improve your craft to create the best quality work that you can. Compete with yourself, not others.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in front of nature, and when I stop to slow down and actually appreciate the beauty that is around me every day. As artists, we tend to slow down and notice things that others don’t in our fast paced digital world today.
Take a moment every day to slow down, be present, and just enjoy the beauty of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justinholdren.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinholdrenart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justinholdrenstudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@justinholdrenstudios
