We had the good fortune of connecting with Gage Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gage, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I really didn’t have one, I started painting/drawing seriously in 2014, and I think it was a sort of coping mechanism. I had always been resistant to looking at art as a business, because I never wanted to give up creative control, and I also doubted that I was good enough. It is kind of weird because I’m just now starting to see it as a potential ‘business,’ so that’s all still very new for me. it’s exciting.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I call my style a ‘candy-coated deconstruction of mortality.’ I use really bright, fun colors to tell a bit of a heavier story. I try to always include elements of nature, and there is almost always a skull. The skull doesn’t necessarily represent people who have passed, but sometimes it does. I hope it gives them energy, and lets them live on in a positive way. And I hope that one day when I’m not here, I’ll get to continue on through my art as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I WOULD be the friend! I’m a bit embarrassed to say I’ve actually never been to Los Angeles! It is funny because right before I was hit up about this interview, I was having a conversation that I needed to make it out there with my art this year, like as a personal goal. I’ve really only gotten to do my thing on the east coast, I’d love to get to share my art with the people over there too!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every person that has ever shown my art any type of love or support. Burial Brewing Company in Asheville, TAC gallery in Charlotte, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg, my family. But most importantly- my lady/my best friend, Stew Thompson. She has let me paint on giant 6 foot palettes in the middle of a one bedroom apartment, and she’s always hyped me up from the very beginning, so most definitely her.

Website: www.gagecoleman.com

Instagram: @subject0mega

Image Credits
Zach Parks

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