Welcome back to Crossroads + Callings, the podcast where we prove that your deepest frustrations can lead you directly back to your purpose.
In this episode, “When Art Intimates Life,” host Chimere Brown sits down with artist extraordinaire, Blake D. Lenoir, a multidisciplinary muralist and creative visionary. Most know Blake for his powerful public art, like the two-part Chicago mural series, “A Rose is Still a Rose,” but his story is a testament to trading a standard career path for the full-throttle pursuit of a creative calling.
Blake walks us through his origin story—from a two-year-old trying to draw every feather on a duck to graduating college with an art degree and taking a non-profit Human Resources job just to survive. He reveals the breaking point in the corporate world that led him to start painting as an emotional outlet, and the three years of hard work, resilience, and personal events that preceded his breakthrough at Art Basel. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who feels stuck in a 9-to-5 while sitting on a massive, untapped talent.
Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:
* How a need for control as a child led Blake to use art to create his own narrative.
* The difference between socializing for fun and socializing to get ahead in college.
* The “boiling point” moment where Blake realized he was making more money selling paintings than his corporate salary.
* Why there is no such thing as overnight success and how to stay motivated during the 2–3 year grind.
* The importance of mentorship and intentional decision-making in unlocking your artistic purpose.
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