Conversations with Max Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Gilbert.  

Hi Max, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Since I was a kid, I have had a strong love and passion for art. I grew up around my grandpa Walt who ran his own successful and well-known sign business in Saginaw, “Signs by Walt.” He started making the signs by hand-painting them, and as a kid, my mom would take us around to see the different signs and murals my grandpa had done around town. This showed me at a young age that you can be successful and live a fulfilling life following your passions if you just put in the work to make it happen. I am now 25 and creating art for other misunderstood weirdos out there. I am a multidisciplinary artist, so I dabble in a bit of everything I can… Ceramics, murals, traditional art, digital art, and more. For the past year, I have been working alongside 4 other friends and artists in the community to create an art show called “Art Jamboree at the Lee,” this show helps raise money for the Lee Commons in Saginaw and also is a safe and welcoming space for artists to come, meet some awesome people, help the community, and sell some art. We host these shows every month, and the interest just keeps growing as we go; it’s been an amazing and humbling experience. Art is my life, it’s what I wake up and do pretty much every day, and it’s what keeps me going. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a pretty bumpy road along the way, with lots of ups and downs. My biggest challenge as an artist is constantly having to promote myself/my art and doing all my own marketing to try and get my art seen. While this is a challenging aspect of being an artist, it’s also rewarding when you see your work pay off and get to watch your art grow as well. Another obstacle I am positive all artists experience is art block. Since I am creating almost daily, art block seems to hit more often than not, and my ideas seem to run dry. The best way I can combat this is taking a little break and coming back and just creating whatever I want, remind myself it doesn’t need to be perfect or “marketable” and that it’s okay to just have fun with your art and not overthink it so much. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in art for the weird. I am mostly known for my strange and unique art that makes even the people who don’t particularly shop around for my kind of art stop and find at least one that speaks to them. I am proud of my ability to channel my personal struggles and experiences into my art and hearing other people tell me how they interpret an relate to my pieces. It’s incredible what different people take away from the same piece; one painting can spark a different emotion for everyone who passes by it. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I spent a lot of my young childhood alone or with my sister mostly. I wasn’t the best at making connections or friends until I was a bit older, around 14-15 years old. I spent a lot of my time as a kid creating, whether it was little crafts I’d make to give to my friends or family, doodling, or paintings. I was always looking for new ways to channel my creative energy. I wasn’t super good at math or science, but I always found comfort and familiarity when I was creating; that was the one area I felt like I could be proud of myself and the work I’ve done. So pretty much, art has been the one thing through everything in my life that has been a constant; as life around me changed every which way as I grew up, I always had a pencil and paper at the end of the day that I was free to create whatever I could imagine with and that really kept me pushing through even the toughest of times. 

Pricing:

• Digital Commissions – $20 each, +$10 for each additional person/pet
• Prints 8.5×11- $15 each or 3 for $30.
• Holiday Clay Pets – $15 each, customs available
• Hand-painted Cornhole Boards- $250-300
• Original Paintings – $150-500

Contact Info:

• Website: drearyart.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drearyartt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085895632232