Meet Quantez Harper | Emerging Artist

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

Hi Quantez, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Giving up is never an option. When you love something as much as I do creating, giving up will never enter your mind. Of course, life happens and I have had to slow down but I will never give up. It does get to be frustrating at times as an emerging artist not having continuous commissions or selling as much as I would like but I love the process. Everything about it. Everything between the first sketch and the sealing of the artwork is the fire that continues to burn within me. I believe that as long as I stay true to the process everything else will fall in place. I’ll keep going and never give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a self-taught artist, my career has had a slow start. Most of the challenges in my career have come on the business side of the profession. It has been a tough road and I know I have a lot more to learn but I embrace every part of it. My mom always told me that nothing in life that is worth having is going to be easy. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just have to do my job and stay the course. My biggest challenge has been getting in front of the right eye in order to sell my work and learning to price my work correctly. Previously, I painted things that I thought would sell easily. That did not work because as we all know art is subjective. I was so biased that I only entertained ideas that I thought would be an easy sell. Now I paint what feels right. Ensuring I learn from all situations and environments I am in. I’ve learned to only accept commissions after a signed contract and deposit. To embrace other artists and uplift them every chance I get. I am most excited about continuing to learn exactly who I am as an artist. I have yet to discover my style and signature and some may think that is a con. I love that. I enjoy painting abstract, realism, portraits, and surrealism all the same. I want the world to know that you don’t need a specific style to be a successful artist. That you can be good at more than one thing at a time. My art is for those who have been told they have to conform or that they have to do things a certain way in order to succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a bit of a homebody. Everything I want to do is available to me at home so why leave? But, if I had a friend visiting I would definitely have no problems planning something to get them out in the city of Atlanta. The beautiful thing about Atlanta is there is something for everyone. Whatever you are into there are plenty of places for you. We would check out The Battery. Great environment, people, and drinks. Depending on the time of year we would 100% go to one of the local professional sports team. I’m a big sports fan and love attending games live. We would explore Ponce City Market, West Midtown, Centennial Park, Virginia Highlands or Old Fourth Ward. Outstanding food is always something to enjoy so South City Kitchen, Rock Steady, Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, Dat Fire Jerk Chicken, Pit Boss BBQ, and The Slutty Vegan are a must! The Trap Museum is a fun place to go and The Art of Metanoia if there is an event.

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?
My family has played a significant role, but my wife has been my number one supporter. Art has always been a part of my life and I enjoyed painting but only after her encouragement and believing in me more than I believed in myself is when I started to take my work more seriously and began to challenge myself as an artist.

Website: https://harperartanddesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harper_artand_design/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperArtCo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtaFac0YL59ORn7W9M6sFeA