For Danangelo “A.J.” Spencer ’17, the journey from Mount Saint Mary College student to award-winning multidisciplinary artist wasn’t a straight line – it was a canvas he painted himself, mile marker by mile marker.
Spencer, known professionally as “Artboii,” recently returned to his alma mater to present “Art, Reality, Truth,” a candid talk that blended philosophical insight with gritty, practical advice for aspiring artists.
Speaking to a room of students and faculty, Spencer broke down his evolution from a hopeful graduate to a “creative pluralist” working in film, photography, and mixed media.
Since graduating in 2017, Spencer has built an impressive portfolio, including working on a feature-length film in his native Jamaica and recently winning his first film award. However, he was quick to dismantle the myth of the overnight success. He emphasized that his current achievements are the result of years of projects done for free to build his skill set.
“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,” he explained. “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 romanticized “starving artist” is nothing but a trope, he said, and one that’s not going to get a serious creative anywhere. Instead, Spencer urged students to embrace reality. He openly discussed his role as an educator, substitute teaching and working contractually, to fund his passion and pay the bills. He stressed that having a “day job” isn't a failure; it’s a strategic tool that buys an artist the freedom to create without desperation.
“Artboii” defines himself as a “creative pluralist,” a term that encompasses his refusal to be boxed into a single medium. Whether shooting portraits, directing films, or creating mixed media paintings, Spencer’s work is unified by his unique vision.
A central theme of his presentation was the concept of foresight; that is, the ability to see the destination before you arrive. He advised students to identify their “North Star” (the ultimate long-term goal) but to focus on “mile markers” (short-term achievements) to avoid getting overwhelmed.
“And when you hit those Mile Marker goals, please celebrate them,” said Spencer. “Trust me. Please celebrate every win that you have.”
His most poignant advice for the college audience was about community: Spencer urged students not to obsess over chasing established industry gatekeepers (“networking up”) but to recognize the immense value in the people sitting right next to them (“networking across”).
“You are going to need a team,” he explained. “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, their life, their vision. And in return, make sure that they’re adding tangible value to your life, your team, your vision.”
Spencer concluded with a powerful reminder that being an artist isn’t just about talent; it’s about the courage to decide who you are.
“The day that I decided to live my dream is the day that I started to live my dream,” he said. “The day that I considered myself a successful artist is the day that I started operating as a successful artist. And quite frankly, once I decided that, everything started going well. All you have to do is decide that that’s who you are. Everything else in between is just you doing the legwork.”