Meet Artist Rico Edwards: Artist and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Artist Rico Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Artist Rico, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I feel my work could be considered educational, my business revolves around creating informative art and that vision will never be abandoned but the topics I portray in my work gives the community topics to question then later research from themselves. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The ambition to own an “art business” started in high school where I started hand painting t shirts, it started as something I did for myself then later grew into a side hustle. As time progressed I took it seriously and made a logo for myself in 2007, I still use the same character logo to this day. I graduated high school in 2010 and designed the senior class shirt, that’s when I knew I could create art professionally. In 2012 I created a brand called Enigma Project ™ using the same logo design as the mascot for the brand, kind of like how Mickey Mouse is the mascot for Disney. What I’m most proud of is my consistency towards my work and vision which has been the same all these years, I never lost sight of why I started creating which all started creating t shirts. Now things have evolved into merchandise, museum quality paintings, prints, sculptures, furniture and product design. I am able to produce art professionally because of consistency, dedication and patience with my craft; also because of my strong support system. I’ve learned a lot of lessons while perusing a professional and successful art career, I would say one of the hardest lessons is to learn your worth as an artist; no one can teach you how to determine your worth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First I would start the day off at a nice coffee shop, breakfast with coffee to start the day. Depending on what day of the week it is will determine what the day will bring, If my “best friend” likes to shop then I would take them to either the Galleria, or Memorial City Mall depending on their budget. I’m not big on drinking so bars are out of the questions, if my friend drinks then they can take alcohol back to house. Visiting different art galleries and museums would also be nice to get into, some nice vegan restaurants; just enjoy each others company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents have always been supportive of my dreams since I wanted to create something from the ground up art related. I always knew I wanted to go into “art business” but I never knew how or if it could even be done. Sadly there wasn’t a blueprint for the type of road I took and currently still taking; but my parents have always blessed me with the tools I needed along the way. Along that road there have been plenty of supportive individuals but I honestly owe the majority of it to my parents, Nikki Johnson and Jonel Sawyer.

Website: www.enigmaprojectbrand.com
Instagram: Artist_Rico_Edwards
Other: Brand Instagram : @Enigma_Project_Brand

Image Credits
Photo Credit : Gabrielle Glover.