What does it actually take to make it as an artist after graduation?
If you ask Danangelo “A.J.” Spencer ’17, the answer isn't luck. It’s about strategy, “mile markers,” and the courage to define yourself.
Spencer, an award-winning multidisciplinary artist known professionally as “Artboii,” recently returned to the Mount to drop some important knowledge on the next generation of creatives. He broke down his journey from a Mount student to a “creative pluralist” working in film, photography, and mixed media.
Here are four major takeaways from his talk, “Art, Reality, Truth,” that every Mount student needs to hear.
1. Ditch the "Starving Artist" Myth
We’ve all heard the trope of the starving artist. Spencer’s advice? Forget it. It’s not romantic, and it won’t help you succeed. Instead, he urges students to embrace reality.
There is no shame in having a day job. Spencer openly discussed his work as an educator and substitute teacher, which allows him to fund his passion and pay the bills. He stressed that a steady paycheck isn’t a failure; it’s a strategic tool that buys you the freedom to create art without desperation.
2. Don't Wait to Get Hired
You don’t need a contract to start building your portfolio. Spencer credits much of his success to years of doing “spec work” – projects he created for free to prove his skills.
“Everything from spec ads, I’ve done. Sample merch, I’ve done. Collaborative ideas of video and marketing material, I’ve actually done as sample. And now I’m at the stage where I’m actually being paid to do these same ideas but for... more reputable companies and brands and artists.”
The lesson: Show them what you can do before they pay you to do it.
3. Network Across, Not Just Up
When we think of networking, we usually think of trying to impress industry gatekeepers. But Spencer says your most valuable assets are sitting right next to you in class.
“You are going to need a team. Guess who should be on your team first? Your peers. So, there’s people in this room that are doing monumental stuff in their brain for now... Figure out who are those people, get them on your team, and you use your knowledge, your skills, and you add value to them.
4. Set “Mile Markers”
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when looking at your ultimate long-term goal. Spencer advises breaking that journey down into smaller, achievable wins he calls “Mile Markers.”
The Bottom Line
Being an artist isn’t just about talent; it’s about deciding who you are.
As Spencer told the crowd: “The day that I decided to live my dream is the day that I started to live my dream... All you have to do is decide that that’s who you are. Everything else in between is just you doing the legwork.”