Artist, painter & fashion illustrator, Donald Earley launched his newest solo exhibition as part of The Journey Fashion Festival during New York Fashion Week.
Donald Earley has a swagger about him. He rests comfortably within himself. His piercing blue eyes are like artworks in themselves. The banter with his wife Bettye who takes care of business on the US side, while he spends over half the year in the United Arab Emirates, makes for some truly entertaining conversations. A lot goes into creating and executing an exhibition. Artists need a supportive team and that one person who grounds them, and walking up Broadway in NYC it is clear to see that this is a partnership that just works. The exhibit got raving reviews as a beautiful storytelling integration into The Journey’s fashion, entertainment, and arts extravaganza in the gorgeous 30,000 square feet venue, 60 Tenth Avenue. We sat down virtually with the US born and bred, FIT educated, Qatar resident, VCUQatar teaching artist Donald Earley, to discuss his journey, views on art, inspiration, advice, goals and regrets.
When did you decide to become an artist?
The question is “becoming an artist”. My first encounter was at an early young age with art from a comic book. At the age of eight was when a remarkable event happened in my third grade class; we all went on a field trip to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and that was where my life change began. For the first time, I saw real art and it scalded my eyes. I looked up and I asked my teacher, who does this and her reply, “Artist” and she asked me what you’re going to be and my reply “an ARTIST just like them.” And my future was born that day.
What was the turning point that made you turn professional?
It all started with my mentor and instructor Mrs. Frances Needy at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I turned professional after graduating from FIT as a Fashion Illustrator, not as a Fine Artist. My professional background was illustrating for such companies as Calvin Klein, Dayton Hudson in Minneapolis, Halle Brother in Ohio and Neiman Marcus in Dallas Texas. It was five years later that I realized my dreams of becoming a fine artist as my main goal in life. It was a slow process, and tedious but my perseverance paid of exhibiting places…Cumberland Gallery Nashville TN, Carnegie Hall Lewisburg WV, WV State Museum (also part of their permanent collection), Schindler Gallery Richmond VA Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington WV, and numerous others as well as one person exhibitions at various locations throughout the country.
What do you consider fine art?
My love for German Expressions and Avid Gard Folk Art, Indigenous African Art, Fauvism Art… a true emotional expression is the art that’s ahead of its time.
Do you have a specific theme or message in your art?
Yes, there’s a message in my art, it’s a major theme throughout my work…the harm we do to ourselves and to others. The mood of the world dictates the mood of my work.
Do you have a muse?
Muse definition is a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. With that being said, my muse is my relationship to my first love, figure drawing and landscape, they both give me a sense of balance and a passionate love for my profession.
Have you seen a trend away from art?
Art is Art, it has a life of its own.
What do you tell your students is most important for an artist, exhibitions or sales?
It is most important to expose hundreds to your art work; exhibitions leads to sales. It only matters that you expose your work. Art is a business and don’t forget that. Art is a way of life, treasure it.
How reliant are artists on grants in general?
It is imperative that there’s money to be available to artists at any cost. I don’t think there are words to describe the need for grants for an artist.
What is your best advice for artists?
Don’t forget your purpose in life. Never fill in space. What I was told in my early professional life was to remember that someone else is going to depend on you.
Had you known then what you know now?
When I was just starting out in my professional life, and if only I had known that my biggest fear was the fear of failure, then that would have been half the battle. The other half was getting the job done. My greatest threat was the fear of failure and I didn’t even know about it, it was there lagging over me for those many years. Now that I understand it’s easier to concentrate on my career. As the years have gone by it’s much easier to concentrate on my work and my life as a whole.
What is your goal for the next 3 years?
I’m going to retire from my teaching position and concentrate on my art.
The obvious mix of fashion and art is bound to go hand in hand as a way to establish hope, and adjust to a new normal in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic. Galleries will be one of the singular most important places because of the social distancing ways that will become part of life moving forward for a good long while. Exhibits will become a place where people can go with their thoughts and be with others without being too close. We look forward to seeing much more of Donald Earley in the US and around the world.