Today we’d like to introduce you to Gage Coleman.
Hi Gage, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started trying to be an artist almost 9 years ago, and I’ve kind of just kept doing it. I moved from northern Virginia to Asheville North Carolina in 2014, worked in different warehouses, restaurants, and factories while painting on as much as I could. I’d get broken pallets and rebuild them to make pieces on; I did murals in spots from office buildings to skateparks and found places to let me put stuff up. Burial Brewing was actually one of the first places to ever let me display my art, and that was absolutely huge for me. Then I moved to Spartanburg South Carolina in 2018, where I love to set up at different city events, the arts community here is really cool, and has a whole lot to offer. I’ve gotten to become a full-time artist, and I’m loving it. I want to just keep doing my art, and I hope it has a positive impact on people.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I feel like there is always a hundred other things I need to learn and be doing. Financial security, exhaustion, probably all the same stuff everyone stresses. ‘Are you good enough?’ type feelings too. I’m getting better at balancing everything, though, I feel like I can’t ever get it all done in a day, but I do a lot. haha
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create mostly all digital art currently, and I call it ‘modern pop folk art.’ I’m known for my skull, which is really my self-portrait, but also just represents everyone. It represents our energy, as well as what we all are at the core. Then I combine elements of nature; I love flowers, birds, regional animals, and plants. All combined, I try to convey an image or feeling of harmony, a story that doesn’t end, just kind of this full cycle. I think a lot of amazing artists use these elements, and probably a WHOLE lot better than I do, but my style is super strong and recognizable, and I’m just super proud of that, and the growth I’ve experienced with it all.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Don’t take anything personally and use it all as a learning experience. I’m still working on these.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gagecoleman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/subject0mega
