Meet Miles Davis | Artist on the Rise, Creator & Designer

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

Hi Miles, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Though, it’s impossible to narrow down the journey into a single decision, if pressed, it would have to be marrying my wife and business partner, Merissa. Her love, support, patience, and understanding of my artistic drive and vision has helped build a foundation of growth and room to explore and expand. Finding those special, rare people that are your “ride or die” support system, especially when you are first starting out, is a real blessing and should be cherished. I’m not saying surround yourself with “yes” men, but rather those with honest opinions and answers. Those you can trust to not bullshit you and want to genuinely help.

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.
I have two creative centric businesses: Massive Burn Studios, Inc. and Creative Clutter, LLC.

Massive Burn Studios (MBS) was started in 2005 and the climb continues to bless, but as been tedious to say the least. The fine art world is a tough adventure. I’ve failed more than I have succeeded. However, one particular mantra (among many) that I have come to embrace is “if you’re not winning, you’re learning.” Failure is a part of growing a business and having a resilient and learning mindset is key to find success amidst a flooded, competitive market. Being grateful and dedicated are two other traits that I have found helpful. Express genuine gratitude and I’ve always cultivated a “champion” mindset, meaning to show up when you say you will, do the work to the best of your ability, and do what you say will. And if you f*ck up, own it. Apologize if necessary and then move on to adapting from, hopefully, the lesson you’ve just learned.

As MBS grew, Creative Clutter was an off shoot of my creative practice as some of my clients and projects began to veer from the mission of Massive Burn Studios as a solitary professional fine arts practice. It is the umbrella entity under which I illustrate picture books , teach workshops on various topics, and create licensable stories and characters aimed at a broader consumer market. Some of these opportunities may grow into individual businesses as they grow and build, so I suppose Creative Clutter is almost like an R&D department in that regard. A catch all for varying creative ideas outside the direct nature of MBS.

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?
LOL. What wouldn’t we do?!? I’m not too fancy, though, so McCray’s Tavern is local favorite of mine on the West side of Atlanta. Gotta hit up Truist Park for drinks, food, and various activities, as well. Antico is one of my all time fav pizza joints. Touristy stuff…GA Aquarium, High Museum etc. would be possible. For other fun things, The Painted Duck is a fun, cool hang and Kai Lin Art Gallery is one of my favs in Atl. If we really wanted to get “fancy,” maybe a Fox Theater show and grab food at any number of top notch restaurants, but Bones is one of. my all time favs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh man. So many…

Clementine Creative Agency, South Cobb Art Alliance, The Marietta Art Council, Maddie Beck Rawson (Curator at Marietta Cobb Museum of Art), and so many friends that helped support me as I launched my career almost 20 years ago. The list is long and continues to grow…and I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.

Website: www.massiveburn.com

Instagram: @massiveburn

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