Welcome back to The Abundant Artist, the show that dispels the myth of ‘the starving artist’ and shares how you can live an abundant life as an artist and make a living from your talent one interview at a time.

In this episode, Cory is joined by Zsudayka Terrell; a multi-faceted person and artist with an emphasis on African American figurative work. As a mixed media artist and designer, Zsudayka’s aim is to capture and archive the history and culture of Black Americans. Her work seeks to normalize the day-to-day of Black Americans and celebrate culture while also highlighting moments shared by all humans.

Zsudayka shares her journey and self-discovery as an artist; her process with commissions, selling her artwork online, and marketing through social media; her advice on promoting your artwork and converting fans of your work into paying customers; how she navigates politics and controversy as an artist; how she came to open her own art gallery, and the inspiration behind the pieces she creates.

Key Takeaways:

[:30] Cory welcomes Zsudayka Terrell to the podcast!

[1:22] Zsudayka shares about her background and how she has become the multi-faceted person and artist that she is today.

[3:59] How Zsudayka taught herself art.

[7:24] Zsudayka shares about her transition from journalist to artist.

[11:57] Does Zsudayka believe that serendipity in an art piece happens more often for self-taught artists than those who are classically trained?

[13:57] Does Zsudayka feel she has more freedom with her art than those who have been through classical training?

[15:45] The value in both classical training and being self-taught.

[17:25] Why Zsudayka chose to move to a predominantly black neighborhood in DC and open an art gallery.

[24:02] How Zsudayka navigates politics and controversy as an artist.

[31:09] Zsudayka describes the art that she is doing now, the inspiration behind them, and the messages she wants to share through her art.

[34:55] Zsudayka’s process with commissions, selling her artwork online, and marketing through social media.

[41:03] Why it is so important to foster relationships as you’re marketing and selling your artwork.

[43:46] How Zsudayka fosters relationships in her business to help promote her art.

[47:34] Cory thanks Zsudayka for joining the podcast and sharing her wisdom.

Mentioned in This Episode:
TerrellArtsDC.com

Zsudayka Terrell’s Instagram @zsudayka

Zsudayka Terrell’s Linktree

How to Sell Your Art Online: Live a Successful Creative Life on Your Own Terms, by Cory Huff

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Welcome to the first episode of The Abundant Artist, the show that dispels the myth of ‘the starving artist’ and shares how you can live an abundant life as an artist and make a living from your talent one interview at a time.

In this episode, Cory speaks with Yakira Carter AKA CyberL0ve. Yakira is an Atlanta, GA-based artist (that’s soon to move to NYC) with influences from Kazuto Nakazawa, Akira, and Studio Ghibli films. Yakira’s ethereal art comes to life both through digital and traditional mediums and mainly captures the beauty of women of color.

Yakira shares how she brings her art to life, how she has found success online, her goals and plans for the future, her process for creating art, and the influences that inform the decisions she makes as an artist.

Key Takeaways:

[:36] Yakira’s influences and the formative experiences that shaped her overall style and artistic aesthetic.

[3:22] How Yakira creates her work on a typical day.

[4:39] Does Yakira wait for inspiration to strike before painting?

[6:07] Is Yakira self-taught?

[6:55] Yakira’s insights into why there is such a strong artistic presence and incredible booming black artist community in Atlanta, GA.

[9:02] Why did Yakira make the decision to leave Atlanta?

[11:37] The business side of Yakira’s art: how she makes her money, markets herself, and receives projects and commissions.

[14:23] How Yakira has grown her instagram to 36k+ followers.

[18:57] What ‘failing towards success’ means to Yakira.

[20:05] What being an online artist means to Yakira, and how understanding internet culture plays into how Yakira presents herself as an artist and informs her art.

[26:09] How Yakira emulates a traditional style using digital mediums.

[28:47] Yakira reflects on her progress and shares what she is excited about regarding her career going forward.

[30:15] Why Yakira wants to move to NYC.

[31:10] A future goal of Yakira’s: getting into galleries.

Mentioned in This Episode:
Yakira Carter AKA CyberL0ve

CyberL0ve Instagram

Spirited Away

Akira

Inuyasha

Ghost in the Shell

Kazuto Nakazawa

Studio Ghibli

Copic

Pigma Micron

Find More Episodes Over on TheAbundantArtist.com