Artist to the Stars – Interview with international visual artist Deante Howard
Today we’d like to introduce you to Deante Howard.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Deante Howard. I am a self taught artist, born and raised in Kansas City, Mo. Currently my family and I are in Medellin, Colombia. We have been exploring other countries since March 9th of this year, 2022. It has been quite an adventure for me, my wife and our 4 boys.
Ever since I can remember sports and art have been my 2 greatest passions.
Unfortunately, the blue collar income of 1 adult taking care of 4 kids didn’t stretch that far, so I didn’t have the funds to participate in organized sports and sometimes the streets could be too dangerous for pick up games.
For me, art provided an escape from the violence and the sirens in the streets, it provided a place where dreams could be real. It provided encouragement.
I mixed my love for sports and art because those athletes showed me, determination and focus can take you anywhere, or as I like to put it, “the Hustle Will Make The Dream The Reality”. I want to spread that inspiration to work hard and encouragement to dream big to others! My art is the best way I know how, that is why I create the art I make today.
I have always loved art, but as far as being a professional artist, that actually only started recently. I sold my first piece in Feb of 2021. I went full time Feb of 2022. So far this year I have sold +200 pieces!
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
It was not easy, but it was simple. So to be honest the only challenge is doing the work! The dedication to hard work is what stops most people from accomplishing goals. They do the work only when; they feel like it, they see the desired results, between this time and that time, fill in the blank with whatever easy or convenient circumstance. However dedication, means put in work even when you don’t feel like it, when you are not seeing the results, outside of normal hours of operation.
This also means consistently doing your best, not just working for the sake of saying “I did something today”. I set goals, I found someone that had some success in my field and learned some steps to accomplish my goals, and I dedicated time and energy to those steps. I have a family, a wife and 4 boys under 10. They require time and attention. So, sometimes dedication meant staying up until 2 A.M. to make sure I do the steps I need to get what I want. I love video games and movies. Being dedicated means, if I have not accomplished my steps for that day, I don’t get to indulge. I think one of the biggest things I did was to treat my goals like a job. I would clock in and dedicate time as if a manager could write me up and fire me if I didn’t.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I am artist, as I said I love art, all types. I write, draw, produce, design, you name it. However, I specialize in visual arts, with an emphasis on portraits and a further emphasis on athletes. I do abstract pieces, family portraits and even pet portraits upon request. I have done pieces for NBA players like Brodric Thomas, Daniel House, for models, for T.V. Stars including my childhood hero Walter Jones, the original Black Power Ranger. I have shipped my work to 5 continents, 10 countries and have had the pleasure of doing work in 3 countries. If I am not working on a commission, when it’s just me and my free will to create, I’m at my best creating pieces of art of top tier athletes doing what they do best. For me, it’s just something inspiring and motivating about capturing the energy and emotion of a player in the midst of them giving their all. I love the idea of being able to capture those feelings and express them in bold, vivid colors that can be shared by all who see it. It’s not just about being visually pleasing but about being emotionally stunning, it’s about an experience, that is what I strive to deliver in each piece, the experience.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
My advice is simple. It is the Hustle that makes the Dream the reality! For me success is achieved by repeating 3 steps. Dream, Pray, Hustle.
1) Dream. You have to have a dream. A goal that is big, scary even. Don’t be afraid to be unreasonable and let no one tell you it is too big…if you are willing to work for it. You don’t have an extraordinary life doing ordinary things. You must believe in this dream, wholeheartedly.You are the only one it needs to be believable to.
2) Pray. I don’t know about you, but I believe in God. Personally, I believe in Christ. I believe that my God is a relational God. Much like you would come to your parents with plans and ideas as a child, you should also go to God, the Father with your dreams. We get those answers from being in His word, surrounding ourself with wise people who are also believers and by becoming tuned into His voice. I believe God gives us freedom to be, so it’s mostly if there is not a “No” proceed and if there is a “Yes” go full throttle.
3) Hustle. Self explanatory. Faith without works is dead. No matter how much you believe or what affirmation you may have been given, no work means no success! Put in the work – do it until it’s done!
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
To mean Success means accomplishing what YOU set out to accomplish! It’s not about what other people think. It’s about setting goals for yourself and crushing those goals, it’s about being better than the you from yesterday, last month, last year. I don’t want to say it’s not about accolades or money or titles, because maybe the goal you have is to make $1,000,000 or to be giving the title of MVP or to win a trophy for best in field. All of that is fine, but whatever it is, it should be a goal made by you for you…not to appease anyone else.
What’s next for you?
What’s next? Well of course I will continue to create new art pieces, both custom commission pieces and limited edition piece. I am also really excited about a NFT project I am dropping on Rarible it’s called DRH Card Pack Vol 1. It officially launches December 1st, my birthday! I turned a handful of my art pieces into Digital Trading Cards and collecting certain sets and other achievements like being the first to resell a card will provide the holders with perks like free art, free crypto, access to shows and signings of some of their favorite athletes, etc. I want to bring the fun of the trading card hobby to the digital space with some very unique art work. Maybe I can get a contract with Topps or Panini or something and get the digital cards turned into physical cards. We will see.
You can check out the cards in the collection here https://rarible.com/DRH22/items
And you can buy a mystery pack to pull a card here
https://rarible.com/mysterydrh22
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
I’m on the 3 major social media networks and I have a website which has a contact form to email me as well.
My website is www.deecor.design
Facebook – Deante Howard – https://m.facebook.com/Imajinayshun/
Instagram – howard.d.artist – https://instagram.com/howard.d.artist
Twitter – @deante_howard – https://twitter.com/deante_howard
Love my style and want something done for yourself? Don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of these platforms. Thank you.