Far from the days after dropping out of art college, and becoming uncertain about his future in the arts, Najee has forged a successful career as an artist, being featured in numerous solo and group museum shows, television broadcasts, and print publications. As well as these accomplishments, he has skillfully combined his creative edge, and business acumen to develop a steadily growing online community that documents, preserves and promotes the contributions of the African American arts community. 

Let’s tune in to his story!

[00:01 - 07:07] Opening Segment

• The Poor People’s Campaign
• A children-centered campaign that brings conversation on environmental racism and injustice
• The connection of the Poor People’s Campaign with the Civil Rights Campaign

[07:08 - 17:55] Black Art in America

• BAIA: A community and resource in one
• How BAIA has grown and created its own culture and impact in the art community and society
• There’s a space for everybody in black art
• Creating legacies, leaving an impact to the world 

[17:56 - 29:34]  Building Art Communities and Leaving an Impact

• Tangible level community building
• Najee’s vision for BAIA’s headquarters
• Building Communities for Black Artists
• Utilizing space and bringing more culture in America
• Participative theaters and galleries 
• Coming Soon for BAIA: School Arts Education 
• Walking around the neighborhood and engaging with people on the ground

[29:35 - 38:00] The Creative Economy

• Najee remembers creative spaces during his childhood
• The Art in Najee’s Home
• Why commerce kills creativity
• Widen your lens and look at people from another perspective

[38:01 - 45:01] Closing Segment

• Najee shares how to support artists of color
• Challenges in the organizational side 

Connect with Najee through Instagram.  Visit Black Art in America or you can also go to his personal website and be a part of our mission of documenting, preserving, and promoting the contributions of the African American arts community.

Thanks for tuning in!  

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People Mentioned

• Dr. Dean Kane
• Margaret Burroughs
• Joyce Owens
• Kevin Cole

Tweetable Quotes

“As an artist, there are times where we have to lend our creative energy to something that could be so much more impactful or bring attention to an area that needs so much attention.” - Najee Dorsey

“People want to create and they want to be supported. And so part of that has to do with what the artist may naturally be interested in.” - Najee Dorsey

“If we could find more ways to be more giving, more loving, and more supportive, it doesn't take big things all the time to do that.  That's how we build, that's how we grow. That's how we share and can love on each other and build a community that we all can be proud of want to be a part of.” - Najee Dorsey

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.

Multidisciplinary artist Zeph Farmby joins the podcast today to share his journey as an artist from tagging on the streets to selling his shirts in major stores, being noticed and commissioned by A-list clients, creating original pieces for broadcasts worldwide, and showcasing his work in exhibitions. Combining his graffiti skills with his formal art education, Zeph’s unique art style stands out in the crowd.

In this episode, Zeph shares about the major influences in his life and art, how he stays true to art, his experiences with getting a formal art education, his entire art journey, and his advice to young artists on how to build a sustainable art business that allows you to make a living.

Key Takeaways:

[:30] How Zeph and Cory first met.

[1:46] Would Zeph describe himself as a “collage artist”?

[2:37] How Zeph first got started as a graffiti artist.

[6:03] Zeph explains some of the culture and terms of graffiti.

[13:05] Major influences on Zeph’s style and how his art journey led to where he is today.

[17:45] Zeph’s journey from not being able to sell a T-shirt at the local flea market to having his shirts solid in one of the hottest stores in Chicago.

[27:43] How wanting a hat influenced Zeph and his art in a major way.

[31:49] Zeph shares about his journey and development of marrying his two styles together.

[40:13] Zeph shares more about his art journey after moving out of Chicago and one of the pivotal pieces he created that helped him not only stand out in the crowd but get noticed by big-time music producer, Swizz Beatz.

[49:48] Zeph shares his experiences and experimentations with art exhibitions and installations in Chicago and New York from 2016 onward.

[54:30] Zeph’s business breakdown and his main sources of income as an artist.

[56:16] Zeph’s advice to young artists on how to build a sustainable art business that allows you to make a living.

[58:08] How does Zeph manage to balance murals, originals, commissions, merchandise, etc? Is it difficult or enjoyable to switch between these different aspects of business?

[1:00:09] Cory thanks Zeph for joining the podcast.

Mentioned in This Episode:
Zeph Farmby

Clubhouse

Mr. Brainwash

Find More Episodes Over on TheAbundantArtist.com