Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Wilson Jr..
Hi Tony, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story is pretty mediocre and humble. I started my business as a passion project in a way. I needed a way to get some frustration out about four years ago, and there was no better way than to draw. I had an LG Stylo at the time that came with a stylus pen, so I downloaded any free app I could find for drawing. I found a picture on Google of Jamie Foxx in Django for a reference, and just started drawing. I’ve known how to draw since I was in diapers probably, but have never took the time to actually perfect my skills. When I drew the Jamie picture on my phone I realize that my skills needed more work, and with some feedback, I could use that to eventually turn something basic into something great. I made an Instagram account, formally know as Nothingspexial, to showcase my work and receive feedback about the art I was making.
After a few weeks of posting a friend of mine offered to pay for a picture of him and his daughter and I figured “why not” and gave it a shot. After that I started to charge for commissions with the hopes of getting some pocket change. I figured nothing would really come out of it. I spent a while just drawing local rap artists and celebrities for a bit of exposure. One of the local guys who wasn’t so local was Yung Bambi, who took the time to repost one of the pieces I did of him. I’m not sure he even knows the impact that had on my business and plans for my future, but after his post the thought of not being able to make a career off of art definitely changed for me. Business definitely ramped up after that, and I basically haven’t looked back. I turned an outlet into my main source of income, and from that point on it was about being a creative and utilizing my skills.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth ride, but I don’t want things to be handed to me and definitely don’t want anything to come easy. But, I have had my fair share of struggles on this journey. Some being as small and annoying as clients not paying for the commissions I’ve work on, and some being as stressful as my computer dying on me and losing years worth of commissions and artworks. Some struggles I’ve had have been issues with people on the outside who have found a problem with any amount of success I have had, but I chalk that up to those people being upset with themselves and taking out on me. But, for the most part, the struggles I went through were mostly just a part of the gig.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a creative, I live to create. I wake up and bring visions to life. I’m a digital artist, I don’t just illustrate cover arts and logos, I’m a jack of all trades. Music videos, NFT projects, comic series, animations, I’ve had my hands on a lot of things that people wouldn’t expect from someone that draws all day. I can’t say that I’m known for something specific, or for something that the whole world knows of, I know I’m known for having some of the best art on the internet though. Some of the work that I’m most proud of are the work I’ve done for Revolt TV’s A2Z comic series and animations. The work and opportunities they gave me are definitely something I’m going to remember for years. People like Dunnie West, John Dean, Jarale Phillips, and Darin Stewart saw something in me, which is why I think I’ve been blessed with the opportunities I have now. They saw me as someone who was more than an artist on Instagram, they saw me as someone who has talent in abundance. They treat me the same way they would treat an established and respected Creative Director. I think what sets me apart from other artist is whatever they see in me. I can’t really tell you myself, that’s not something I really think of. I’m not in competition with any other artist but me, I see what others do, but I don’t pay attention enough to tell you what sets me apart from them. I just think my mind works in ways there’s don’t, and vice versa. What I make no one else can.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Something that I wish I knew before I started out was that there are no rules to art. I never liked art classes in school. They try to confine you to rules that they think every artist needs to follow, like there’s some sort of blueprint to any of this. The main advice that I would tell any other artist just starting out is that there are zero rules to it. What worked for the teachers who taught you what they know doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. I learned through trial and error and figuring out for myself what kind of artist I wanted to be and what kind of art I wanted to make. People try to school me and box me into something I’m not down with, and I couldn’t let them try to tell me how to do the thing I’ve done all my life. My advice would be that as a creative you impact the culture around you, not the gatekeepers who never picked up a pen in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: blyssstudios@gmail.com
- Website: www.blysstx.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/blyssstudios
Image Credits
BLYSS Studios
