Meet Waldo Waldie of Waldo Worx in Brickell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Waldo Waldie.

Waldo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Waldo Worx began years ago with photography. Photography is where I discovered my art. I started a photography business in Vero Beach and shot wedding photography, engagement shoots, and things of that nature. I was able to sustain myself doing this.

However, it became more of a job and what I was really passionate about was creating. I had always loved to paint, draw, sculpt. After learning how to use digital imaging software and manipulate images I wanted to see how far I could push the imagination. I began imagining Godzilla enjoying a day at the beach, while Darth Vader has an ice cream cone. I tried to challenge myself.

What I love about art is, it is limitless. If I want to create an image of Barney Stinson riding a luck dragon over Manhattan while having a cocktail I can do it… (and I actually have). I then got back into painting and mixed media. I made a few canvases and had someone ask me how much I would charge to make them something. I started sharing pictures of my work and had others reach out for commissions.

I knew then that this wasn’t a fluke. People really connected with what I was doing. I decided that in order to immerse myself in the art world I should move to Miami. So I packed up everything I had, kissed the little town I spent my whole life in goodbye, and embarked on a new adventure. I worked a corporate job by day and spent my nights painting, drawing, playing with Photoshop, or hanging out in Wynwood. My art continued to develop and I received more commissions. Eventually I was contacted by an art gallery in Wynwood who wanted to represent me and display my work. I had two exhibitions in the gallery and made some great connections. From there, I have continued to grow and flourish in the Magic City. I feel that I have come a long way, but it is nothing in comparison to how far I have to go. The tough part is the work/life balance. In the end I know that to truly be successful I have to put everything I have in to every moment I have, until I have nothing left to give.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing in life is easy, and most things easily attained aren’t worth having. Art is especially difficult.

Unlike everyone else trying to create a business or develop an idea, an artist isn’t selling to the masses. Most people’s goal is to come up with something that can be mass produced, that everyone wants, and cash in. In art, you are selling to 1% of 1%. Art is subjective, and no matter how good you are at it, most people will give it a passing glance. However, 1 out of every 1,0000 people will see something you did and it will hit them in their soul. They will say, “I feel this,” and hand you a blank check. That is the hardest truth to accept as an artist. Once you can accept this, you can begin to try to market your art. In the beginning, I had months where I wouldn’t sell anything. Then I would sell two pieces the same day.

Art is funny like that. You have to believe in what you’re doing and know that the clients will come. For me, since I love what I do it really doesn’t bother me whether they sell or not. It’s about the creation process for me. The main challenges you will face in any entrepreneurial endeavor is yourself. “Now is not the right time,” “I can’t afford it,” or “I’m too busy.” You have two ways to look at your challenges in life, “I can’t do this,” or “How can I do this?”

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Waldo Worx story. Tell us more about the business.
Waldo Worx is about expression. I specialize in custom pieces right out of the imagination of myself and my clients. I’m known for my pop art and obsession with movies. My art is intriguing though, because I don’t fit into the cookie cutter mold of the average artist. Many artists find their niche and stay in their comfort zone. They perfect their technique in cubism, expressionism, or line art on glass. I refuse to do the same, I will not limit myself to a defined category. I do not need to fit into a predefined label people are used to, because my work is not what people are used to. In one exhibit you may see a surrealist digital image that has been painted over, next to an acrylic abstract work on canvas, placed next to a framed black and white portrait photo. My passion, my ideas, and my art are anything but the status quo. So, if you’re looking for an artist with a concrete style who paints only ocean scenes, birds, or red squares, I’m not the artist for you. What I’m most proud of is that I create from my soul and try to not let the business side of things influence my creating process. All of my commissions are 1/1. I don’t sit at an art booth with 75 copies of the same print. I’m not trying to license my images for mouse pads and calendars. I just want to create things that ONE person can have in their home/office and say there is one of these and it belongs to me.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Half of everything in life is luck, the other half is a mix of determination and fate. I have been lucky enough to run into art dealers, gallery owners, potential clients at random places. However, I feel that we all will have our share of luck or opportunity cross our paths. To me, it’s about what you do with those opportunities when they come your way.

Pricing:

• Custom Commissions start at $3,000.00
• Personal Collection Pieces range from $3,500 to $6,000

Contact Info:

• Website: www.WaldoWorx.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waldoworx/
• Facebook: facebook.com/WaldoWorx
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/waldoworx

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