Rob Dugan, Founder @ Seek One Art | The Business of Contemporary Art

In this episode, Justin Abrams interviews artist Seek One, exploring his journey from a self-taught artist in Philadelphia to a successful entrepreneur in the art world. Seek One shares insights into his creative process, the balance between art and business, and the influences that shape his work. The conversation delves into his early experiences, the significance of travel and personal history in his art, and memorable commissions that highlight his growth as an artist. Seek One shares his journey from creating art for fun to becoming a full-time artist, collaborating with celebrities, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. He discusses the importance of adaptability in business, the flexibility of self-employment, and his experiences with NFTs. Seek One also highlights his upcoming e-commerce platform that will make his art more accessible to a wider audience.Takeaways

- Seek One is a self-taught artist with a lifelong passion for art.- Traveling frequently inspires Seek One's creativity and art.- Balancing creativity and business is crucial for artists today.- Seek One's entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by his parents.- Social media played a significant role in Seek One's early sales.- The first sale of art was a turning point for Seek One.- Seek One's tag originated from his skateboarding days.- Life experiences and travels heavily influence Seek One's art.- Seek One combines various mediums, including graffiti and photography.- Memorable commissions have marked significant milestones in Seek One's career.- Seek One's journey began with a DM from Quavo.- Custom art allows for personal connections with clients.- The art business requires constant adaptation and pivoting.- Self-employment offers flexibility but comes with uncertainty.- NFTs provided a new avenue for artists to explore.- Building equity in one's own brand is crucial for success.- Complacency can stifle creativity and growth.- The NFT market has its ups and downs, but opportunities remain.- Seek One's upcoming e-commerce platform will enhance accessibility.- Art can be collected in various forms, both physical and digital.Chapters

- 00:00 Introduction and Background of Seek One- 02:59 The Journey of an Artist and Entrepreneur- 05:47 First Steps into the Art World- 09:07 The Evolution of Seek One- 12:02 Influences and Inspirations in Art- 15:07 The Business of Art and Commissions- 21:50 The Journey to Full-Time Artistry- 24:30 Navigating the Business of Art- 25:44 Challenges of Being a Creative Entrepreneur- 30:27 The Flexibility of Self-Employment- 31:33 Exploring the NFT Landscape- 37:11 Connecting with Seek One