Meet Maxx Slater of Downtown Columbus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxx Slater

Hi Maxx, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I picked up my first brush and painted my first piece about a year ago, and I think I’ve painted every day since! I had always heard about art therapy and the different methods there are, and at the time, I was in the grip of a pretty intense depressive episode. I was willing to try anything that might help. That first painting is and will be my favorite of all the ones I’ve done; it marked a true turning point in my life and unexpectedly became exactly what I needed to pull myself out of that dark time. Growing up, I never had the artistic talent I always wished for, but I guess the Universe just said, ‘better late than never!’ Since that first painting, I promised myself that I would never stop trying to improve and always paint from the most truthful place within myself. Today, my work is driven by emotions and the idea that we all experience the same feelings, just in different ways. Ive been able to be a part of some really meaningful conversations surrounding depression and mental health, and I’ve been lucky enough to have my work featured in gallery spaces, which is a dream come true!

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?
Oh I would be lying if I said it’s been all hearts and flowers the whole time! I definitely struggle with Imposter Syndrome more than anything. I think that it’s something that not a lot of people talk about. Being a self-taught, “Emerging Artist” it’s always kind of knocking on the door any time I submit to a gallery, or even post on social media! But I’ve learned to see it as a sign that I’m pushing myself and stepping outside of my comfort zone. It’s never easy taking risks and challenging myself, but It’s a reminder to keep working hard and to trust in myself and my voice as an artist. That’s not to say there aren’t great, wonderful moments as well! Connecting with someone that’s purchased one of my pieces because it spoke to them in a way that they needed to hear, or they felt that someone understood them, is one of the best feelings that I would never know without some of the struggles.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I never want to do is limit myself, and so I try to be as versatile an artist as I can, because there’s always room for growth and improvement in anything we do in life. My work is based on emotion, and uncovering the beauty that lives within the chaos of abstraction. Instead of covering up mistakes or starting over, I think there’s great meaning in making a place for mistakes, because they’re such a part of life; we all make them, and we all deal with them differently! One of my favorite practices in my work is connecting pieces together. I recently finished a series of 5 paintings that told a story through 5 different emotions, each new piece pressed against the one before it, continuing the story. I love to start a piece with a watercolor background. Once it’s set, I’ll rinse the whole canvas, leaving a beautiful textured background that creates some amazing layers when painting with oil or acrylic on top. I would have to say that I’m most proud of my voice as an artist. I can paint from within and in a way that I’m unafraid to be most honest I’ve ever been both with myself or anyone else

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My go-to resource for all I do in painting is the Youtube personality Paint Coach. He breaks things down in a way that I can totally understand somehow. Whether it be what brushes to use, color mixing especially, and a ton of other stuff! I think I’ve seen all of his videos by now! And I’d be lying if I didn’t include my dog, and my boyfriend. I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now without the both of them encouraging me and always supporting anything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maxxmadeartworks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxxmade.artworks