We had the good fortune of connecting with Curbie Toles and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Curbie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Creating meaningful connections! Meeting to know people outside of my own city. Branching out just to create many more business opportunities for myself! Also being very open minded when it comes to critiques on my work. Instead of taking opinions in a negative light, I use them yo create new ideas, new content. I’ve found by doing that I’ve increased my own skill set by alot.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art consist of a variety of things from animations, realism, expressionism and scenery/flural. What seperates me from other artist is the attention to details, I am somewhat obsessed with making sure that I portray things the correct way. The lastest painting I was really excited about was my Montgomery Brawl Painting. Being from montgomery I felt passionate about painting it but I waited a year to paint it on the anniversary of the event to separate myself from other artist. After putting my own spin on it by adding a little but of history in the painting, so people would know what that event was so important. I only held on two it a little over two weeks for a buyer fall in love with it and made a purchased. Whereyu close to your work it is a very inspiring feeling with others appreciate it as much as you do! I get where I am through resilience and had work. Like most artist I your skillset grows over time. An Ive painted almost everyday since I started, steadily grinding and protecting my craft. Learning different techniques, never trying to stsy the same but consistently level up! It has not been easy as most would think because if you rish yourself like anything you’ll miss out on natural growth. Or putting yourself in a competition mindset with other artist will also resort is less them appealing art work. But instead learn from them allow yourself to mature in craft and as a person. Is anyone was to ask me about my brand I would tell them they would be getting someone who dedicated to among the best poeve possible to hang in there homes to properly represent myself. An have something they could always come home to and enjoy! My brand consist of making smiles, bring joy to your life and connecting others!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In my city of Montgomery Al would I would take them to see the arts of course! Places like the Kings Canvas, Urban Dream Fine Art Center and Map360. I would show them the art of my people and how much of a family the art community is. Montgomery had many great places that’s black owned businesses to chose from food like “Can A Brother Get A Slice”, Plant Bae, Brendas Barbecue or get a bite and a drink at “The Cajun Leprechaun”. Either one wouldnt disappoint just depends on what you have a taste for. One of the most attractive sites in montgomery that I would akwsys encourage anyone to check out if their ever visiting or jist oassing through would be The Legacy Museum. It would definitely open up your mind what history was really like during the time of slavery. Anyone I’ve known, including myself has never visit and leftfeeking the same. The things you thought you doesn’t even scrarch the surface on what you will actually lean! In my opinion it is the site of sites to visit in montgomery!
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?
There are several people I would love to shoutout that helped me along with my journey! Someone I cna never stop mentioning in my let bestfriend Detective Tanish Pughsley who was killed in a domestic violence incident in 2020. She always encouraged me to see where my art would take me and make a name for myself. Two other friends of mines that played a big part in supporting me when I first started Kiara King and Dr. Thomas Perry. I’d like to give a big shout out to Thomas for recieving his doctorates in music this past summer. He has been one of my bestfriends since childhood, one of the most righteous brothers anyone would ever meet! An just so happens to be the very first person to purchase an art piece from me and help me realize my art could have monetary value! An another of my bestfriends Kiara King welcomed and beautiful baby girl into this world last year! An embarking on her new journey as a wonderful mother! If it wasn’t for her I would’ve never been in position to meet the biggest influence in my life. I remember having the conversation and telling her I wanted to put myself out there and see what I could be as an artist. She suggested I set and talk to her brother because he himself was already an well known artist in Montgomery and other areas. From that point I was introduced to someone who was a mentor and sort of a art coach to me, Mr. Kevin King. An some shortouts doesn’t do him enough justice as he is an award winning cultural art. An advocator for art an uplift of black communities. Because of his organization thr Kings Canvas allowed me to meet various amount of artist, brought us together, an I was able to learn from each and every one of them. Because of him I attended my very first art event, started painting live and was able to oaint my very first mural. He pushed me in the right direction to take the first steps in my journey and didn’t let me let up! There are many friends, family and artist who contributed in my journey and my growth as an artist as well as a person! An I would love to give them all their flowers, but these four are at the key factors in my beginning! So a big shout out from me, with plenty of love always!
Website: https://ideasforcreativear.wixsite.com/mysite
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideasforcreativeart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/UrUWjH11yXAVJ27G/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ideasforcreativeart
Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@curbietoles3