Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Evans.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
So, I was a pro football player. I played for five years for UCF. Then I had an opportunity to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. I made it through pre-season. Graded out as the best rookie in my class at left guard and then didn’t see any playing time that year. After that I had an opportunity to play for the Apollos with the AAF. Essentially the precursor to the XFL. I was starting left tackle for that team with spurrier at the helm. That league abruptly ended the last year 2019 cause of fraud and some other stuff. My New Years’ resolution for 2019 was to take my hobby in art seriously.
Around the end of the AAF, I had started selling my paintings. In April of 2019, I sold a piece for 1k and I couldn’t believe it. I was inspired by the potential cause of painting made me so happy. So I kept painting and growing. Then I got a call from the Kansas City chiefs. They wanted to fly me out for mini camp. I knew I was gonna do well there. They had flown me out before. I just picked a different team. But I had a pit in my stomach and didn’t feel at peace about it. I received the call on a Friday. I said I needed time to answer. So Sunday evening rolls around and I have to give my answer. I was praying in my yard and I prayed. God.
I’ve spent most of my life seeking your will for my life. I’m not happy. I didn’t enjoy playing football. I loved aspects of it a lot. But the higher you go the more political and less about the sport it becomes. So the life had left in the NFL. I continued praying. I said God please show me what I should do because unless YOU speak art into my life. I will not do it. I will continue to play football. As soon as I finished that prayer a family friend called me and said don’t talk. God wants me to tell you something. She said, I don’t know why but I need to say this. God is going to use you more in art than He ever has with football. He’s going to use your life to start revival. So… I quit. I quit my life long pursuit of the NFL. I paint for a living now. It’s been the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s bliss. It’s so fun. I’m more involved with the community and things that are close to my heart. And I don’t have to play corporate politics because now I’m my own man. I’m selling high end expensive art and God consistently provides and paves my path.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
More like driving around a mountain. It’s sorta intense and scary but exciting and beautiful at the same time. Owning my own business. And being financially sound in my decision making has been a learning curve. Knowing how much paint to buy for murals. Wasting money on networking schemes and just learning a whole new world. I was always a “jock.” I’m 6 foot 5 280lbs. It wasn’t cool for me to draw flowers and paint faces lol. So it’s been a shell shock for a lot of people. Seeing people who only supported me cause of the clout from football has been eye-opening.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do murals, portraits, pet portraits, logo design, digital work, and more. I dabble with ceramics, building stuff and more. I’m most proud of my portraits. And my murals. I love painting big and I love bringing someone’s face to life on canvas.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be patient. No in a cliché way. If you build a house, it takes time to build the foundation. Build your foundation. You need to take time to work out the kinks. Don’t rush it. You don’t know what’s working when your not. God connects dots. I believe that. But you have to do the leg work a lot. But definitely don’t be in a rush. Work towards your goals every day but this is a year’s mentality, not get rich quick. Fast money is gone fast. Slow money stays long. I want a long haul type of success that compounds. Find a mentor and/or talk to as many people as you can about all relating things to your field and learn constantly. Be humble. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Know your worth and claim that worth. Add value where you can for free and then work a deal for later.
Pricing:
- $3500 my last painting sold for for
- Abstract customs start at $500
- Pet customs start at $450
Contact Info:
- Email: Eaaron6695@gmail.com
- Website: www.king-frog.com
- Instagram: Aevans_art
- Facebook: Aaron craig Evans
- Twitter: A_evans66
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ5hKFbILTQw_bkFXiF1bFQ
Image Credits
Aaron Evans
