Demarcus McGaughey

With more than 20 years of experience, Demarcus McGaughey  is a skilled creative director, graphic designer and artist.  A ten year resident of Brooklyn, New York, Demarcus is from Dallas, Texas. His artworks have been exhibited in various galleries in New York.

What’s your artistic background?

My artistic background specializes in a style that combines painting, photography, mixed media and graphic design. This elixir of artistic elements stems from my fruitful stint in corporate advertising and graphic design. Post under graduation, I spent my time and talents to advertisement agencies and corporations as a freelance designer. Since then, I’ve developed a mastery of graphics, product development, branding and brand coaching.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

I’ve heard people say vision and passion. I would say vision, passion and awareness. The ability to tell stories, create emotions and conversations.

What role does the artist have in society?

I believe art creates emotions and sparks ideas to viewers. We create empowerment, healing and connection.

What art do you most identify with?

I love pop art, portraitures and black figurative art.

What themes do you pursue?

Art is a narrative. And the stories in my work reveal the resilience of my subjects. I uncover the beauty of their scars; the strength of their vulnerability; the
wonderment of their excellence. As a mixed media artist, my work delivers a raw look into each individual’s soul coupled with nods to cultural influence. Each piece, a blend of my passions and real-world experiences colliding on canvas, represent my love for colors, pop art, advertising, graphic design, life coaching and storytelling.

What’s your favorite artwork?

I love the black figure artwork of Barkley Hendricks

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

My art residency in Barcelona Spain inspired me. I was able to meet new people and have different experiences. It opened my eyes to new cultures and concepts. It was a pivotal moment in my life.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

My first job was at Taco Bell. I’m also a freelance graphic designer and a certified life coach.

Why art?

It’s a God given talent. I’m good at it. Why Not? For me it’s about using my gifts to impact the world.

What is an artistic outlook on life?

My artistic look on life is to paint my life. To paint the people I know and to let the world know they were here. I often say everyone is uniquely designed and no one can do what you can do. I love to talk to people and to hear their stories and paint those stories to empower others to create the life they’ve always imagined.

What food, drink, song inspires you?

I’m not really inspired by food or drinks. If so, it would probably be inspired by the colors or textures.. Music really inspires me and plays a role into my art. It ranges from instrumentals, R&B, Soul, Gospel or Rock Music. Music inspires me to tap into my emotions and evoke them into my artwork. It serves as the theme music to each painting I create.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Yes, it can be very lonely. As a life coach I often tell my clients that we create our own narratives. I ask the question “Is that a Fact or a Belief?” Painting in my studio can be lonely because it can be just me and my thoughts. I often compare my art; I wonder if it’s good enough. Will people like it? Does it impact the world or sometimes I wonder if it’s too childish looking?

I often choose a positive outcome. Sometimes I will go on the roof of my studio and meditate. Listen to music and visualize success. I pray over each piece of art, asking the universe to attract the perfect buyer to my art. There are times where I will choose to come from a place of love and tell myself that my art is worthy and deserving of all things.

What do you dislike about the art world?

I don’t really dislike anything sometimes I find it hard to break into certain art communities or seeking validation. However, I tell myself that I will eventually attract the right tribe.

What do you dislike about your work?

I love my art.. I wish I was bit confident in my visual arts like I am with my graphic design. Sometimes I wonder if my art is too childish and not mature enough.

What do you like about your work?

I love the bright vivid colors of my art. I love the people that I paint because they are all people that I know. They are characters in my life.

Should art be funded?

It couldn’t hurt. Funded art could ensure the accessibility to the arts.

What role does arts funding have?

It aligns art with the community. It can create a larger platform for the artists and a wider connection to the viewers. It also supports to sustain the artists.

What is your dream project?

That’s a good question.. I would have to think more on that one because I know once I declare it, the universe will conspire to offer it to me.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

I’ve learned to be the very best artist that I can be and no longer want to be compared to anyone. I want to develop my own language or style of art. To name 3 artists that I admire I would say Barkley Hendricks, Andy Warhol and Kehinde Wiley.

Favorite or most inspirational place?

My favorite place is Paris in France, but I am inspired by experiences and people. Having a new experience will inspire me and my art.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Surround yourself around artists that are more experienced than you, it will cause you to level up.

Professionally, what’s your goal?

My professional goal is to become a museum artist who has a name in the history books known for impacting the world through my art. Financially, I would love to be a billionaire artist creating wealth for my family where they can unleash their visions while impacting the world to make it a better place and funding other creatives who have a passion for impacting the world through their visions.

Future plans?

As of now just getting ready for some upcoming exhibitions and artist residencies.