How to work hard for success: Vincent Trinidad

Starting your everyday job as a freelance artist ain’t easy. Because you know, you wake up and don’t usually squat and kick ass. You just sit there, trying to figure out where to begin and how to succeed. And if you’re not ridiculously talented and lucky, all there’s left for you is hard work. Good for Vincent Patrick Trinidad that he has it all: talent, time and motivation that has no end. Learn from his experience how to keep your creative juices flowing to build the empire of designs. 

Which creative area is your thing?

I am into 80’s stuff and Japanese Culture, especially the food. My art is on the side of Retro and Old School. I am from Manila in South Eastern Asia but our culture is not in the Oriental kind of stuff like our neighbors which is kind of interesting. 

When and how did your artistic journey begin, have you ever had a full time job as a designer?

I graduated from Fine Arts Major in Advertising in 2006 and started working straight out of college in Advertising and Marketing for 5 years and 5 years as an illustrator making video games. For the last 3 years of my career, I have been a freelance designer and illustrator.

Where do you find ideas for your awesome works?

Traveling is a good way to come up with unique ideas but you have to constantly look for ideas every time and everywhere so that becomes a habit. Books are very helpful! While I am in the mall you can just leave me at bookstores. 

How do you find yourself so hard-working? 

For me hard work is about being grateful on the opportunities that you have been given. If you don’t take for granted the opportunities you will work hard for it.
My daily routine is I get up at 6:30 am I exercise on my little basketball court shooting and enjoying the early morning sun being grateful for another day then I get coffee and start making art and in 11:30 am I take a bath get ready to take my daughter to school and eat lunch at 1 pm and get back to work until 5 pm break I shoot hoops stretch my body at around 6 pm and get back to work until 8 pm for dinner time, get back to work again until 10 pm sleeping time.

Are you happy with your life right now? 

It is pretty boring and routinely 7 days a week. But, from time to time, I take my family to our favorite Ramen place or chinese restaurant.
But I am grateful that I have control on my schedule and I do not go to work. I just make what I want, draw what excites me so I work hard to retain this kind of lifestyle, because I love what I do. I can go on trips when and wherever I want to (also when the kids do not have school), so I enjoy my life pretty much right now. That is why I am very grateful to sites like Displate because they make artists be artists and do what they love to do in everyday basis is to make art.  

Which creative process excites you the most?

The creation part getting zone in where you lost track of time because the blank canvass is now getting into a phase where you can see the brush strokes taking shape and you think it is going to be great is one of the best feelings as an artist.

Do you use social media to boost your sales?

Social media is a big part of my career, I post every artwork and link on my social media platforms but it is a double edge sword so I just post and stay away from it because it takes away your focus and grabs your attention pretty much.

How is it working for you? Do you communicate with your fans?

Whenever I see a person tagging me on Instagram and Facebook I am always thankful for the support and try to repost every single picture with my design on it.

Do you consider yourself a successful artist?

For me being successful as an artist is just doing and controlling what excites you the most. I am in my early 30’s so I do not rush things but I enjoy every bit of what I am doing.

If you could think of any tips for beginners, dreaming to succeed in what you do – what would you tell them? 

Learn to love the process because if not, long hours making art is frustrating, it will make you crazy, if you don’t love what you are doing. Do not be afraid of posting your artworks on the Internet, put as many hashtags as you can, post work in progress, videos on Youtube and you will do well.

Visit Vincent’s Displate gallery, Facebook and Instagram for more, even cooler designs!