Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Adams.
Hi Tony, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In late 2018, I had a desire to start painting, so I searched for painting classes and stumbled upon a beginner course at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. It was on my day off, so it was perfect. A couple of weeks before class began, I received a message that the class was canceled but they are offering an intuitive course. I was a little reluctant at first as I was looking for an entry course the intuitive course seemed very advanced. They assured me it was for all levels.
The course was great, it taught me about painting from within not from the standard techniques. I fell in love with this style of painting and continued to take a couple more semesters the following year. During this time, I had not shown many people my paintings. The pandemic came in 2020 and temporarily shut down the fine arts center. During that time, I continued to paint at home. I was encouraged by a friend should show my art via social media, so I started an Instagram account. On December 22, 2020, I exhibited in my first art show at the Epicurean Hotel and sold my first piece. A few months later I was asked to be in another art showcase and sold another piece, and from that point on I continued attending shows and selling more art.
In a short time, I have accomplished so much. I now have art at the Epicurean Hotel in south Tampa, the Tampa Club, private clubs, Sky Point condominiums, showcased and sold at Art Basel Miami at Spectrum, Gasparilla Arts Festival live studio art, TV segments on to do Tampa Bay, daytime, private art events, festivals, collaborations with Tampa city ballet. Collaborations with other local artists. Competed in the Tampa art battle this year and helped several charitable organizations. I am so grateful for every opportunity and every encounter.
It has been an amazing journey so far and I am excited to see what comes next. I plan on continuing to share my gift and my story, my I heal, lift, and empower others through it. My mentor at the fine arts center was Candy Schultheis still my friend today.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Creating art comes with lots of challenges learning painting techniques and color theories etc. I welcome those challenges. When I decided I wanted to be more involved in the art scene and sell my art I encountered a lot more hurdles. Not only managing the day-to-day responsibilities but also artist by night and that becomes challenging. Selling art is tough work. There are lots of late nights and long weekends. Working with different curators.
Different venues, travel, setups, drop-offs, breakdowns, meet and greets, pricing your work, selling your work, submissions, fees, the cost of inventory, products, materials, weather conditions, commissions, marketing, and of course creating new work I’m leaving so much out it begins to take on a life of its own. It takes a lot of energy and planning. Nothing ever goes as smoothly as planned so thinking on your feet is a good skill to have. Expect nothing and accept everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is full of bright colors and lots of layers. I begin my work with an intuitive mindset and allow the layers to happen, moving quickly to avoid hesitation.
I enjoy using large canvases so I can make broader strokes and use larger brushes and more explosive splatters. I use acrylics because the drying time is faster which allows for faster layering. As the layering happens and I transfer my energy to the canvas I use all different types of materials to paint with. Items like egg whisks, bubble wrap, spatulas, crumpled plastic, virtually anything and everything gets used as a paint tool.
During this period, I allow all the little mistakes to happen if something spills, smears, splatters for me it’s all meant to be, and I don’t fix them. Sometimes images emerge from the chaos, and I can pull them out. Phase two is when the image is calling to be extracted from the chaos and I begin to paint the details of the image. I see the image in the chaos before any details so it’s really fun to make that happen for others to see what I see.
It is also the most tedious part of the process but rewarding. There are times when I like the abstract and I leave it. I enjoy using mixed media and watching how harmonious a painting comes together.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
Be as consistent, determined, and willing to learn. Support your local artist and be involved in creating a healthy community. Walk towards your fears. Mistakes are awesome. Have fun. Smile and wave.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @artxtony
- Other: linktr.ee/artxtony
