The FAIL Talks is a podcast series that features visionaries who want to leave a legacy in this world through their achievements. Hosted by Octopus, get inspired through the journey of people who are in perpetual movement and learn from their different perspectives.

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In this podcast, we are introduced to Favor Leo, he is a gifted self-taught artist who hails from Nigeria. Favor's creative journey has led him to explore the intricate world of surrealism, transforming his passion for art and music into profound self-expression.

His love for surrealism art

Favor Leo attributes his progress as an artist to his passion for drawing. He delved into the fundamentals of drawing, studying art books and watching instructional videos to learn about perspective, proportioning, and light and shadow techniques. By mastering these skills, he aimed to create realistic works without relying solely on references. Additionally, Favor Leo explored the psychological aspect of art, learning how to translate ideas from his mind onto paper and convey messages through his drawings.

His deep dive into the art world led him to stumble upon the works of Salvador Dali, the father of surrealism. Intrigued by Dali's ability to express thoughts and emotions through his art, Favor Leo decided to explore surrealism as a medium for his own creativity. This marked a significant shift in his art style, as he began to focus on drawing from his imagination rather than solely relying on portraits.

Despite pursuing a degree in building technology, Favor Leo has successfully managed to juggle his academic commitments with his artistic endeavors. While his studies are vastly different from his passion for art, he finds joy and excitement in both fields. Currently in his third year of college, Favor Leo sees himself continuing to pursue art alongside his professional career.

Through his dedication to learning and experimenting, he has developed his own unique style and continues to inspire others with his artwork. As he balances his college education with his artistic pursuits, Favor Leo remains committed to nurturing his talent and sharing his creativity with the world

NFTs as a way to shape creativity.

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have become a significant force in the art world, inspiring and shaping creativity in new and exciting ways.

Many of his Arts are often influenced by his past experiences and childhood memories. Favor believes that these subconscious influences manifest themselves in his art, drawing inspiration from the shows they watched and the things that excited him in his youth.

He also mentioned how as a curious person, he is constantly seeking to learn and understand new things. This curiosity extends to his dreams and revelations, as he actively research and document them. This demonstrates how Art can inspire artists to delve deeper into their own thoughts and experiences, encouraging them to explore and learn more about themselves and the world around them.

Favor explains that he stumbled upon the NFT space in October 2021 when he saw other artists selling their NFTs on platforms like OpenSea. Intrigued, he began to research and educate themselves about crypto, Ethereum, and the mechanics of trading NFTs. This highlights how NFTs can serve as a catalyst for artists to venture into new and unfamiliar territories, pushing them to expand their knowledge and skills.

His decision to enter the NFT space was driven by the desire for financial sustainability as an artist. He saw NFTs as an opportunity to not only be appreciated creatively but also to be rewarded financially for their art. This speaks to the transformative power of NFTs, providing artists with a platform to monetize their work and establish a sustainable career.

A key moment in his NFT journey came when he released a collection highlighting Afro hair and personal experiences with school authorities. This collection garnered attention and resulted in their first significant sale. This marked a turning point in his career, as he began to gain followers and inspire others through his art.

Throughout the conversation, the artist acknowledges the influence of other artists and the NFT space on their creative process. He mentions following and being inspired by fellow artists, and how the NFT community has shaped the way they approach their work. This underscores the collaborative and supportive nature of the NFT space, where artists can learn from and inspire one another, fostering a culture of innovation and growth.

Persistence is key to overcoming failure.

Favor emphasizes the importance of persistence, stating that it acts as a shield for anyone going through failure. He highlights the significance of trying and experimenting, even when there seems to be no reason to do so. He believes that through persistence, individuals can eventually find their way and achieve their goals.

The conversation then turns to moments of doubt and rejection in his career as an artist. He admit that external rejections from platforms and galleries have influenced his internal confidence. He has also experienced moments where he doubted himself and felt ignored by the world. The rejections made him question if his work was too weird, strange, or scary for people to appreciate. These doubts have been a constant presence, but he tries to remind himself of his purpose and uses it as a driving force to continue this artistic journey.

Later on, Favor confirms that they have had many conversations with fellow artists who go through the same phases of doubt and failure. They discuss the struggles of being an artist, the effort put into their work, and the disappointment when the returns fall short. These conversations provide a support system where artists can share their experiences and learn from each other's coping mechanisms.

Then conversation shifts towards the artist's daily life and how he manage the pressure of constantly working on their projects. Favor admits to being a perfectionist in the past, which led to burnout. He realized the importance of finding a balance between his creative pursuits and other aspects of life. When in school, he focuses more on his studies but never neglects the art. He makes sure to dedicate some time every day to drawing, writing, or composing music. During vacations or holidays, he prioritizes his creative side and works extensively on his art. He has learned to adapt his approach based on his current situation, rather than trying to do everything at once.

He also shares his experience of burnout and how he overcame it.

He found that taking time off from creativity and engaging in other activities helped refresh his mind and ideas. Rest and indulging in video games became his coping mechanisms during burnout periods. By taking a break from creative endeavors and immersing himself in different experiences, the artist found that their creativity was rejuvenated.

In conclusion, the podcast conversation highlights the significance of embracing failures and persevering in the face of setbacks. The artist's personal experiences demonstrate the impact of neglecting the marketing aspect of their career and the importance of viewing failures as opportunities for growth. By adopting a mindset of resilience and determination, individuals can navigate failures, learn from them, and continue on their journey towards success. Persistence, as emphasized by the artist, is indeed key to overcoming failure and achieving one's goals.

Thank you for reading this summary, you can listen to the full podcast here.

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