Today we’d like to introduce you to Myles Brown.
Hi Myles, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am currently a working artist that explores a variety of mediums. I explore both digital art mediums and traditional art mediums to create art compositions inspired by eastern mythology and pop culture. I took art classes during my time at an arts school called Longleaf School of the Arts, which is where I learned about acrylic paint. Afterwards, I took a break to pursue other career paths. While I was in college, I ended up getting invested in fine arts, and I worked myself up to earning a degree in business and a certificate in graphic design from Wake Technical Community College in 2023. Afterwards, I spend my time painting, exhibiting my work, studying eastern mythology and comics to improve my craft, and selling my work.
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?
So far it has been a smooth road. From my perspective, exhibiting your work in North Carolina can be done quickly. The galleries in North Carolina offer a lot of friendly, non-curated entry exhibits for merging artists to share their work. There is a gallery in Raleigh called Colab Raleigh that resides in downtown Raleigh. This is the first gallery that I show off my art in, and I have been showing my work with them every First Friday in downtown Raleigh ever since then.
There are also a lot of other art galleries in Raleigh that have become more open to accepting work. There is a gallery called BIRDLAND, one of my favorites that has a show-up called FLIGHT. It is a show curated by VAE Raleigh, an arts organization that is devoted to supporting all artists in North Carolina.
I think another thing that has made it a smooth road for me is that a lot of galleries are close to one another, even if some of them are in different cities. Not only do I visit galleries in Raleigh, but I also go to other cities as well, including Durham.
Durham is not too far away from Raleigh, and they have a huge gallery for artists to share their work called the Durham Art Guild. They have a membership highlight every year that is non-juried, and I have managed to sell quite a few pieces with them. Not only that, but they also work with an organization named Student U to help mentor high school students through the Creative Mentorship Program that happens once every year. Durham Art Guild also works with other art companies, including one named Weird Productions to produce fun and interactive art parties.
From my perspective, it is not so much about it being a smooth road. It is about being able to step outside in unknown territory and explore what is out in the open.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an artist and teacher that resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. I am currently a Camp Teacher at Lune Spark, where I teach students about art. Not only that, but I also do exhibit my work frequently in art galleries and exhibits in North Carolina. My art is influenced by mythology and vintage animation. I am the CEO of JUST A CRAZY ILLUSTRATOR, and I have art in galleries including Zeitgeist Bar and NC Crafts Gallery. My art is represented by Drinking Gourd Gallery and has also been displayed at The North Carolina Museum of Art, African American Atelier, The ArtsCenter, and Durham Art Guild’s Trust Gallery.
My art is well-known for its nature-inspired art style. I specialize in surrealism and abstract designs. The inspiration for my work came from learning how to make art that resonates with people emotionally without sacrificing my ideas because of my experiences with galleries including Durham Art Guild and PEEL Gallery.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would love to thank The ArtsCenter for being a place where I grew as both an artist and as a teacher. I have met many people who have helped me grow as both an artist and a teacher. I have displayed my work in their exhibits quite a few times, and I spent some time teaching art to kids. I have met a few art teachers there who have inspired me to continue teaching and to improve my craft. One of them is an artist named Shady Kimzey, who hosts a company called Bad Art Club at The ArtsCenter. I taught them in December, and my experience with them has helped me grow as an artist.
Artspace is another business I would love to thank for everything that they contribute to not only my life as an artist, but also to the overall art scene in Raleigh. I actually will be teaching Artspace this summer, so I would like to thank Artspace for hiring me to teach there too.
too.
Wake Technical Community College is a school I would like to thank for giving me the education that I needed in order to pursue my passion for selling and exhibiting my work. Without them, I wouldn’t have the knowledge that I do now about marketing and selling my artwork. I would also like to thank Wake Technical Community College for giving me the opportunity to earn my degree in Business Administration: Marketing, which I earned in 2023.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justacrazyillustrator.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: @just_a_crazy_illustrator
