About this poster

"I'm often asked for advice on “being an artist”, to which I generally parrot advice that has been bestowed upon me by others - “Big Boy Pants” celebrates one of those individuals.

This has nothing to do with the print but I think it's important for young artists to hear. The most prophetic advice I was given as far as being an artist came on my first trip to Italy back in 1996. On that trip I was told by one of the older & wiser participants “to just never stop producing”. For my young artist friends, let that one sink in a bit, “Never stop producing”. It doesn't matter if you’re making money, if anyone’s paying attention, if you’re unhappy with your results, etc. “Never stop producing”. Nevermind if you have a shitty job that you hate or you don’t have the time to devote to whatever craft you’re pursuing, make the time and “Never stop producing”. What this prophet was telling me and what I didn't really realize at the time was that without the work nothing else will happen, without the work nothing else CAN happen. It all starts with the work.

Other advice came later on as my audience began to grow and in turn the business of my art began expanding. For those that don’t know, Masthay Studios had it’s humble beginnings in the basement of my home. One of the main reasons I bought my home was because it had a large open basement that could accommodate a small printing press and a couple drying racks. I was very content working alone out of my home, it was comfortable, but my client list was growing and the output requirements were growing and all signs were pointing towards outgrowing my home studio and needing to find something else.

This is where my accountant Rob comes in. Rob gave me sage advice one day regarding getting out of the basement. You see I was hemming and hawing over signing a lease for what would be the Arbor Street studio space I had prior to the current shop. I was terrified of the financial commitment, but Rob in his infinite wisdom saw the trajectory of my business and had much more confidence in my career than I did. He looked me square in the eye and said “It’s time to put on your Big Boy Pants and sign the fucking lease!”. I did, it was one of the best moves I've ever made as an artist. It’s what eventually led to me hiring Kait, and acquiring the Park Rd studio that we’re currently in. Basically that advice made Masthay Studios what it is today, so thank you Rob.

Now whenever a scary decision needs to be made I say to myself “put on your Big Boy Pants AJ” and try to do the right thing even if it is the harder choice. Sage advice indeed..." - AJ