Meet Steven Carroll | Inspirational Designs By Dre Owner and Artist

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

Hi Steven, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always had the mindset of becoming a business owner. However the famous quote, “Be All That You Can Be..” was a positive influence from my parents to make a name for myself. I was known for my gift in drawing during elementary through high school. Senior year, I lost all passion and creativity after a janitor discarded all of my school and personal artwork out of a hallway school locker into a trash bin. Throughout undergraduate and a year postgraduate studies, I had no creative aspirations for drawing and utilizing my gift to uplift emotions or inspire anyone’s purpose.

My business was developed from the mindset of using my God given gift as a purpose to motivate my audience and clients through all abstract paintings (hence company name Inspirational Designs By Dre). Originally the business was developed to provide mobile paint parties for private residential and corporate engagements, and around lounges in the city of Atlanta. Subsequently, developed a subsidiary portion of business with abstract collections on canvas after providing private commission artworks. Some paintings such as the popular painting titled ‘Self Love’ and a few others were curated with the influence from personal experience, and for the customers or audience to reflect on their personal journey (‘Self Love’). Meanwhile, customers have highly sought after the company’s artwork on apparel as a fashion and personal statement.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2016, outside of my career I began an entrepreneurial spirit by investing and birthing my own art company, Inspirational Designs By DRE. The company encompasses two different sectors: paint parties (publicly – local lounges and privately – company, birthday, etc.) and contemporary art paintings which have kept me extremely busy after work hours. I strive for brand recognition and awareness of establishing my artworks in set designs for product placement in the film industry (reality shows, movies, music videos), museums, album and book covers, just to name a few.

The first acknowledgment was when WSB-TV Atlanta Channel 2 Action News website featured my paintings from the March 2019 Pancake and Booze Atlanta Art Show. The popular painting of African American abolitionist ‘Frederick Douglass’, ‘Muhammad Ali’ and ‘Self Love’ are favorites of my audience. Capturing the hearts and minds of art enthusiasts with motivating messages of inspiration through contemporary abstract art.

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.
I enjoy hanging out with friends at nice lounges and enjoying music. Meanwhile, I do try to find time when possible on the weekends for family time, watching movies, traveling and especially a game of billiards.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?
I would like to give a Shoutout first to God, for giving me the vision of my business even when I didn’t see the path. In addition, I believe there are others such as family and specific friends that have been ‘roots’ in this journey of life that deserves my personal recognition. I just want to say Thank You.

Website: www.inspdesignsdre.com
Instagram: inspdesigns_dre
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/InspirationaldesignsDRE/