Meet Alvin Codner: Artist

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

Hi Alvin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I personally believe, starting your own business is the best way to be sustainable in life in the long run. Whether you live fully off you business or its a part time side income for you… starting your own art business successfully is that way to go. I believe we as people shouldn’t go to college and get degrees to then work at an entry level position for a company. If we as people attend school for 4 years and learn all the ins and outs of a industry or career field… we should come out of college with all the knowledge to start our own businesses with in such industries. I have been in college from 2008 to 2018 earning 4 college degrees. With those degrees. it only makes sense to make 3 businesses because 3 out of the 4 degrees are all in different fields.

Prior to starting a business though you must have a plan… so whether you learn from primary or secondary schooling… or if you learn in trade school or self-education… a plan is needed before you take the leap to start your own business. This is currently my last year being a middle school teacher because I am going to transition to being a full-time Fine Artist. My thought process behind making the transition to start my own business was based on valuing myself. As we all know, teachers do not get paid for the amount of work we do on the daily. With producing my art work… I make twice as much money a day than I would make being a teacher. With that being a factor, I simply created a plan and executed it to be financial stable to leave my job this year.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The only way I got to where I am at today was through trials and errors. I failed a lot more than I have succeeded but the value of my successes has brought me a long way to be well-rounded at the current moment. I have earned 4 college degrees after failing the primary school state test (FCAT) 9 times. I earned my 2nd Masters Degree while being homeless sleeping out of my car. I cultivated hundreds of paintings and drawings to get out of financial debt… after surviving a kitchen fire accident receiving 3rd degree burns to my drawing hand. I published my own book after struggling with reading comprehension throughout primary school being placed in special intensive reading classes.

I say all that to say… my brand is is all about resilience and zealousness. I am a all around Fine Artist from being a painter, drawer, photographer, videographer, musician, singer, dancer, rapper, silk screen printer, graphic designer… I truthfully do it all. I am the resource for myself because whenever you start your own business… I learned it’s cheaper to spend your time to learn how to produce your own products/services than to spend your money on someone else to do it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Alright sooo,

Day 1:

Go to the Atlantic Station area wish we could literally stay there all day. We could eat at the Atlantic Grill, BGR The Burger Joint, California Pizza Kitchen, Gyu-Kaku Japenese BBQ, and more. We could watch a movie or two at the AMC there adn we could also shop at the various retail stores.

Day 2:

Getting Active, take a short drive over to Stone Mountain and hike during the morning time… the go to Skyzone in the afternoon.

Day 3: Relax in the Peidmont Park Area and Shop at the Lennox Mall.

Day 4: Hang around the Centennial Park Area in Downtown Atlanta, riding the Ferris Wheel, visiting the Aquarium, Going to the College Football Hall of Fame Center, and more.

Day 5; Relax during the day time.. maybe go out to Little Five Points and enjoy the area.

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?
It would only be right to give a shoutout to my mentor Christopher Hickey who is the Department Chair for the Art Program at Clark Atlanta University where I graduated from. If it wasn’t for him… I wouldn’t be the man I am today.

Website: www.alvincodner.com

Instagram: @mrdatslife

Twitter: @mrdatslife

Facebook: Alvin Codner

Youtube: @mrdatslife

Other: TikTok: @mrdatslife

Image Credits
Alvin “AC” Codner