Today we’d like to introduce you to Donte’ Smith.
Donte’, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
This is a story of love & expression. The love of wanting to be better, the love of wanting to express, to be open, to share, the love of expressing emotions and sharing stories. The story will show people that it is good to be open, to be expressive, to be vulnerable, to love yourself, to love others. It’s all good, and all that happens on the way is just the next part of the story. All the unfavorable, all the bad, all the excess just makes the favorites and all the good that much more worth it. It makes it worth the time you put in; it makes it worth the tears you’ll shed, makes it worth the pain you endured. I want my story, my journey, to inspire others. Not to take the same direction, but to open the mind to routes unseen or unheard of.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m in creative solutions. Not so much “problem solving”, but more like I give artistic variables to equations.
Whether I’m providing style guidance, designing custom looks for artists & events, scoring sound for film projects, directing music videos, or shooting fashion campaigns. My goal is always to bring a different eye, or an alternate perspective, not to sway decisions but to help express or unfold what client may already be thinking.
My (non-client-based) artwork I feel like is storytelling. I’m expressing a certain feeling, or I’m trying to say something unconventionally. However I can get that message out; sonically, visually, physically, or a combination of all senses. I do that to the maximum efficiency available and then, make sure it looks good.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I’ve learned to deal with financial struggles as an artist by doing everything that you can for free. It’ll open up your mind to resources you didn’t know were available because you were looking for “cheap options” or “alternatives.”
Aim to cut down on the parts you don’t need to satisfy the equation. Then explore what it looks like if you could do it with no budget. The next step is to find a happy medium of where you can build the funds to achieve the resources or gain the access it will take to satisfy the equation, efficiently, & make it look good.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Don’t be one who follows to watch, be one who follows to support. The best support comes from those who generally love & enjoy the process & results and want to see gain & growth. Support when you really like the product and the service, not because you think the person is nice or “cool.” I’m in the editing stages of more projects than I know what to do with right now, but DaVinci Season is right around the corner, and everyone will be able to see, hear, & feel the love.
Contact Info:
- Address: DIRTYSOUTHCENTRAL
- Website: www.by-davinci.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: DaVinciDon
- Twitter: DaVinci_Don
Image Credit:
Donte’ Smith ©
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
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