In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with my friend Raheem Nelson, a talented artist and entrepreneur from New Haven. Raheem takes us through his artistic journey, from his early days as a cartoonist and illustrator all the way to having his art featured in Time Square in NYC. Join us as we explore Raheem's experiences with finding sustainable income as an artist, the power of having a job for financial support, and not being afraid to try new things. Get ready to be inspired as we uncover the secrets of creativity, entrepreneurship, and fulfilling your purpose in life!

Raheem Nelson is a New Haven-born and raised artist who discovered his passion for art at an early age. Growing up with a love for comic books and cartoons, he began creating his own comics during grade school. As he entered high school at Aces ECA on Audubon Street, his artistic abilities started to flourish, especially in the areas of oils and life drawing. This led him to further his education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he focused on cartooning but found that oil painting had the most significant impact on him. During his foundation year at college, he had the opportunity to explore various art forms, just like at ECA, and it was during the oil painting courses that he truly honed his skills and developed a familiarity with working on canvas. Now, Raheem creates his art digitally using his iPad and takes pride in incorporating his New Haven roots into his work, showcasing his unique perspective as an artist.

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📍 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Raheem Nelson
01:21 – Raheem’s Artistic Journey: From New Haven to NYC
03:43 – Deciding on Art School & Early Influences
05:10 – Returning to New Haven and Building a Career
07:27 – Life After College: Finding Work as an Artist
10:46 – Balancing Day Jobs and Creativity
13:08 – Landing a Purpose-Aligned Job at Milford Arts Council
16:12 – What is Graphic Recording?
18:04 – How Raheem Started with Graphic Recording
21:56 – The Power of Social Listening Murals & Community Engagement
24:27 – Embracing NFTs as an Artist
27:03 – The Story Behind the Solange Painting & NFT NYC
32:59 – The Value of Trying New Things and Entrepreneurial Spirit
39:13 – Transferable Skills and How Comic Books Influence Raheem’s Work
40:08 – Defining Purpose and Aligning Happiness with Work
42:22 – What’s Next for Raheem & How to Support His Work
43:54 – Closing

 💡Key Takeaways

In this episode you'll learn:

How to use your community in your art
How to build an art career 
How to balance creativity with financial stability 
How to cultivate business skills as an artist 
How to get funding through grants
How to find opportunities through community
How to define purpose and alignment  

 🚀 Start Here If You’re New

1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to Trust Your Success as a High-Achiever | EP 45

2. Overcoming Others' Expectations: 3 Stages to Living an Authentic Life | EP 48

3. Should You Quit Your Job? How to Know When it’s Time for a Career Pivot | EP 39

 👥How To Connect

Workingtowardsourpurpose.com

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Connect with Raheem:

• Raheem's website
• Follow Raheem on IG Arts page & Fashion Page
• Follow Milford Arts Council