Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Freeman
Hi Christian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Native knoxvillian. Born and raised. Started my art career at SCAD in Savannah Georgia but deeply missed Sunday dinners with my great grandmother, grandparents and the rest of my family so moved back and obtained my BFA from UTK My grandfather was very disappointed. Said I wouldn’t make it. I didn’t think much about what he said because he said the same about Elvis Presley. After WW II he traveled back and forth to Memphis working for TVA where he mentored Elvis. He taught him how to drive the trucks and be an electrician. Elvis sang every day at lunch on the pic mic tables. When he was on Ed Sullivan show my grandfather said he would never make it. He did. And I became successful in my own right. I started my career painting in parade homes and The Symphony showcase Home. People saw my work and hired me for custom projects. In that day faux finishing was popular along with murals. I spent the majority of my career finishing walls for residential and commercial spaces. However, my first hired job out of college was the painted ladies at the old Patrick Sullivans restaurant in the old city. That was a bordello. I did them in the Toulouse Latrec style for Kristopher Kendrick. He pulled me a side one day and said they all arent pretty. I responded with well, they all weren’t pretty. He smiled and said make them pretty. I did and when replaced years later they were auctioned off through Knox Heritage. Have been painting now for 25 years. I now reside in Lenior City tn where I’m restoring an old 1940’s home and starting an Airbnb. My love for old homes and beautiful spaces brought me here where I’m continuing to do murals, custom art , consult on client projects for their spaces, teach art at my home studio and through the Tellico Village Art Guild,
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The challenge has always been the mindset. and the task of educating my clientele. People perceive making art as easy, fun, and free. Starting out family and friends would want me to paint and create projects for them for free. Still today clients believe I show up with a bucket of paint, brush it on and make a lot of money. The reality is I am taxed like everyone else plus I pay a self employment tax, and have to provide my own health insurance and liability insurance. Loads of time is spent on picking up materials, designing their projects, etc… that they are not privy too or consider. And 9 out of 10 clients want a deep discount. As a single parent and sole provider it has been a struggle to educate clients about costs and convince them my product is monitarily valuable.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work consists of consulting where I choose color for clients interior and exterior spaces, help design spaces, and pull things together, painting murals interior and exterior, custom finish work on countertops, walls, furniture, and floors, cabinet painting, painting commissioned canvas art, teaching art, and showing my own work in art shows.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Learning the art of conversation and articulation… reading the room so to speak. Knowing what the client is desiring without them telling me. Relying on intuition rather than specifics. Goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Somuchmorethanpaint.com
- Instagram: Christian Freeman Creations on instagram
- Facebook: Christian Freeman Creations on fb
