Creating Creativity with Shawn Perkins

How did you begin working as an artist?
I began working as an artist while waiting tables at a restaurant. After finishing my undergraduate degree in Graphic Design at Howard University, I realized that field wasn't for me. I ended up quitting my job in Texas, and moving back to DC where I became a server to make ends meet. After a couple years of this, I finally began to take the leap of faith to start creating. My dream was to become a full-time artist, and after about 3 years I was able to finally quit my restaurant job and pursue art full-time.

When did you realize that your creativity would allow you to pursue art as a career?
I always knew my creativity would allow me to pursue art as a career; the main thing for me was just getting started. Art was something that had come natural to me since I was old enough to hold a crayon. The only uncertainty I had was how long it would take to actually make this dream become a reality.

What is your favorite work of art and why?
My favorite work of art is an oil painting I made in 2019. Growing up, I had always seen pictures of a white Jesus in history books, art courses and even in the media. I wanted to create my own depiction of Christ which was more historically accurate based on where we know he lived, and what the people during that time probably looked like. So I created "Pentimento" which is my version or belief of His appearance ripping through the original canvas depicting his image done by Leonardo DaVinci. His piece was title "Salvator Mundi" and it was documented that the Pope actually commissioned this work, and because of a close family friend was used as the model. I wanted to change and bring awareness to this narrative.

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What inspires your creations?
Inspiration for my creations come from all over. I get inspiration from events happening in the world, ideas that pop in my brain late at night, or even music lyrics. I like to create without bounds, and inspiration has no barrier. 

What advice would you give a young person who seeks to work as a professional artist?
Advice I would give to a young person who seeks to be a professional artist is NEVER stop creating. What this does is show the world who you intend to be. And consistency and persistence with just about anything will make you successful; not to mention constant repetition only hones your craft and after enough time you will become a master, as long as you NEVER STOP. 

Tell us about your most difficult experience as an entrepreneur.
My most difficult experience as an entrepreneur is honestly getting started. Anytime you begin something, you're starting at ground zero. For me, that was sleeping on my best friend's couch for almost 2 years, sacrificing a lot of my free time and many long nights where I had no guarantee it would pay off. I was working full-time (sometimes double shifts) and coming home to paint until the early morning, just to get a quick nap and go right back to work. Figuring out the business of art, rather than just creating, and coming up with ways to monetize my creations was a steep learning curve. Some nights I thought I would never catch a break, or be able to provide a consistent stream of income for myself. My faith in the Lord is the only thing that brought me peace during these times.

Tell us about your new art kit.
My new art kit is a limited edition package I created to take my brand to the next level. These days, online shopping is at an all-time high, and the competition is stiff as I'm only one guy competing with major fortune 500 companies likes Amazon and Ebay, not to mention other artists. So I wanted to come up with a creative way to put together something unique and special for those who purchased. The idea was to have upper echelon, luxurious presentation, to turn receiving the package into an entire experience for the client in itself. One thing people love is feeling special. And I believe my new packages do just that. 

Where can people see more of your work and reach you?
People can see more of my work on my wesbite (sptheplug.com) as well as my Instagram page (@sptheplug). The best way to contact me is via email ([email protected]).