Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Laster.
Hi Devin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts as a little guy, with drawing. As young as the age of 5 I was drawing everything from dinosaurs to superheroes to unique landscapes with my own little spin. It was my favorite past time and my fun hobby but I never stopped so it turned into my passion and career path as I have now been a fine arts painter by trade since 2007. I’ve had nearly fifty exhibitions / showcases in many locations including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
My acting days started in High School at Cass Tech under the teachings of Toni award winner Ms. Marilyn McCormick, or more affectionately known as “MC”. I learned complex concepts of theatre at only 14 years old. She didn’t treat us like we were little high school students or that it was an unimportant kids production but rather like we were legitimate actors, young thespians in the beginnings of their artistic journey wherein if they so choose to follow such a path, they’re prepared. This experience more than prepped me for when I moved to NY at only 17 years old directly after graduating from CT and started doing theatre on a higher level. I was in the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC) under the guiding of Charles Weldon, their artistic director.
Four years later, my NY journey came to a close. After dozens of play productions and only a small taste of film, I understood that the type of acting I had more passion for was for the screen. This brought my journey back to Detroit to transition into moving to California. I stayed in Detroit for 8 years instead of the few months I was planning on. You know what they say about how God laughs at your plans? Well he had a hoot with that one. But little did I know the value and how necessary those years were. I began doing art exhibitions for my paintings, continued doing theatre, dove into film projects and started screenwriting for the first time.
I never imagined myself as a screenwriter, simply because I never thought of doing it. But the second I created a story from scratch, performed it and received the reaction from the audience… I knew I had another passion festering. I’ve now written a handful of original monologues over a dozen short films, a handful of stage plays, and a couple of feature screenplays.
I molded each craft with those 8 years which truly prepared me for the next step, Los Angeles. I’ve been living in Cali for around 7 years, elevating each of those crafts that I so meticulously molded during that 8 year stint in my home of Detroit.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My goodness, far from smooth. When you’re an artist for a living (especially when you live far from family) financial struggles are highly present. I’ve spent the better part of my adulthood with this being a problem. From having to figure out how to eat with literally only $2, often, to being lonely because dating is practically impossible to bills being pilled up and credit scores being effected and… the list goes on. All in all, I understood at a young age the type of sacrifices that were needed for me to move ahead in this craft so I took on those struggles and was able to have the perspective of “this won’t last forever” and “this is going to make me stronger”.
An additional problem is finding the motivation to continue when you haven’t “made it” yet. The lack of money is one thing, but I’ve performed full on plays in front of only 2 people… more than once. Imagine giving your all, turning in a worthy performance in front of only 2 people. Imagine painting for six or seven moths, creating over 30 original paintings and under 10 people show up. I’ve been praised for my painting abilities and for bringing characters to life off the page of a script and I’m a modest guy but I do personally feel that I have a few great gifts so I’m negatively effected when things like this happen.
But I often say, you don’t truly know how good the good is unless you’ve experienced the bad. So I’m proud to say that I’ve also performed in front of sold out crowds and I’ve also had hundreds of attendees present at my exhibitions.
The road is far from smooth as I’ve been broke down a number of times. But thus far, it’s also had its leveled patches. I know my day is coming, I must continue the work and practice patience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a fine arts painter and muralist. I do personal commissions for individuals and create murals for businesses. I also do my own showcases/exhibitions, some of which I paint live at. I primarily work with acrylics and oils but I recently reintroduced myself to drawing with water brush markers specifically. With my paintings, other than your occasional landscape painting, the style that’s most representative of what I do would be pop art. I utilize more vibrant colors to portray the tints, hues, shades, highlights and shadows as opposed to the traditional colors we see in reality.
I’m a writer for the stage and screen. I mostly create my own stories that gets developed into a stage production or film but I also did “write for higher” work a couple of times. I’m currently writing my next short film that I will star in and the next feature that I will also be starring in.
I’m an actor for the stage and screen. As a professional actor since 2007 I’m proud to say that I’ve been in nearly 50 plays and films. I’ve won 4 awards for acting where I performed my original monologues. I’ve written, produced, and starred in 4 films with another that I’m in pre-production for. I also currently have 3 films on Amazon Prime.
I’m a voice actor for animation. This is a new one that I’m particularly proud of. This one came out of nowhere, similar to how writing started. Dara Frazier, writer and producer who I worked with many times, needed voice talent for her animated film. She asked me, knowing I never did it before but for some reason thought I could. I was casted as a 7 year old boy and one of the reindeer. Of course I took it seriously but what I didn’t know was how much fun I’d have and, maybe more importantly, that I’d be good at it. So I’m now seeking representation for that part of my artistic expression. Be on the lookout for “Jazzy Bells”, releasing in Christmas of 2026.
What’s next?
My plan is to continue working in all these crafts and to further myself in the respective fields. There’s a “next level” in all the things I do and THAT’S what I have my eyes on.
I want to have an exhibition in one of those white wall galleries in Los Angeles with finger foods too small to pinch and lighting from the ceiling so specific it’s apart of the construction of the building. I want to be able to sell a painting and eat off of that sale for months. I want to get to a point where I don’t have to take on commissions to pay bills and I can freely paint anything I so choose. I want a studio space so large that I have to get creative on how to fill the space.
I want to write a script so desired in the industry there’s a bidding war for it amongst the top production studios. I want to be honored at award ceremonies for my writing and cement myself along with those before me as a creative writer and world builder with my stories. I want for the innovativeness I have for my stories to be studied by future literary scholars.
I want to act with the greats. I already consider the top actors in the industry as my future coworkers and I’m hoping that mentality pays off. I want to do every genre and be considered a chameleon with my talents. I want to be mentioned along with the names of those who disappear within the role such as Gary Oldman, Mahershala Ali and Daniel Day-Lewis. I want to get to the point where I have the problem of needing to choose which incredible film to do because I am now “in demand”. I want to feel as though I “belong” in previous rooms I’ve been in but no one knew my name.
I want to give such great voice performances where you don’t hear Devin Laster. Instead, you hear the momentous humor of Donkey, the relentless determination of Woody, the campiness flirtation of Lightning McQueen, the energetic hall of Mike Wazowski or the over the top delivery but also genuineness of the Genie. I want to vanish in alike performances and deliver greatness as the previous list has done beautifully.
Pricing:
- Personal Commissions range from $1,250 to $1,500
- Voiceover work is negotiable.
- Acting services are negotiable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://devinlaster.wixsite.com/devinthepainter
- Instagram: @devinthepainter on IG
- Facebook: Devin Laster on FB
