Winston Christopher - The Power In The Pencil

Welcome to Behind the Hustle, where we take you beyond the spotlight and into the stories that shape today's most passionate creatives.

This time, we're shining that spotlight on Winston Christopher, a visual artist proudly
representing Jacksonville, Florida. Armed with nothing more than patience, imagination,
and a set of Prismacolor pencils, Winston transforms blank pages into detailed works of
art that demand a closer look. His style blends precision with emotion, proving that even
the simplest tools can create something powerful in the right hands.

In this interview, we dive into Winston's creative process, the hustle behind his craft, and
the inspiration that keeps his pencils moving. From long hours refining technique to building his voice as an artist, Winston's journey is a reminder that great art is often born from dedication, discipline, and the courage to keep creating.

How did you first get started in drawing?

So, it all started roughly around the age of three. I went to the mom took us to watch the old
Christian animated Veggietales movie on the weekend, and the Sunday morning following, I had
taken a sharpie (the only writing utensil I had at the time) to draw what I saw in the theater onto
the wall. It was extremely detailed, showcasing the events of the film, the cities and characters
on full display. Despite the very well deserved chastisement and punishment I received, my
mom and dad agreed that I had a talent to create and invested in getting me pencils, paper,
coloring books, paint, etc.

What inspired you to choose colored pencils as your primary medium? What inspires
your medium?

Consequently, I think it's the aversion to mediums like graphite, acrylics and oil paints that made
me choose pencils and specifically prismacolor pencils as my primary medium. You don't really
have much control with these others as you would pencils. They're messy and get everywhere.
I feel I am able to create an immense amount of varying pieces with different styles and colors
from the pencils since they're easier to control with my hands; I'm not accustomed to strokes
with brushes or constant rubbing with graphite/chalk blocks that require edits constantly. With
pencils, I can decide how much or how little of the color(s) I want onto the canvas; I can
determine the length of the piece I'm creating and control the amount of time it takes to finish it.
The art simply works for me, not me working for it, and I feel other mediums don't give me this
type of freedom, if that makes sense.

How has creating online content impacted your artwork?

I'd say online content has played a huge part in the development of my work and the works I
create. I've noticed that people have different tastes and preferences to what they consume.
And I want to not necessarily conform to the desires of what people are willing to see, but adapt
so that I can receive an audience (any audience) that is willing to view all my work and share it.
From there, you eventually meet someone who themselves have an audience that they're
willing to share your work to. And then those audience members share it and so on and so forth. It brings a domino effect that you can systematically control if you know who to target and whose buttons to push.

What advice do you have to anyone who has a dream of being a successful artist? What
do you advise people who have a dream to do next?

Please, and I sincerely mean this, if you have the desire to create and become a successful
artist, victory is already within your grasp. Consistency is the key to the door of success, and
what's reserved for you is waiting for you with immense patience. You must push yourself with
intense passion to achieve the things you wish to see. Don't be afraid to try new things with your
art. Learn to receive, rebuke and give it when it comes to what you create. Not everyone will like
what you make, and that's fine, because even you don't like everything everyone creates! Be
ready to fail any and every day, because failure and learning from failure is proof of victory not
defeat.

What are your dreams and aspirations for your artwork in the next few years?

I know that in the coming months, if not by this year's end, I will be a successful artist director,
art curator, an addition to multiple art museums & galleries, and I will be a teacher and animator.
My name will be known to many, and my fame will bring attention to my art and glory to The
Most High God, in Jesus' Name.
If you could collaborate with any artist or creator, who would it be and why?

There's so so SO many, so please if you know me and you're reading this and feel left out, I
promise I've not forgotten you! But one of the biggest artists I love is @QualityLenz, @Ahnarey,
@_Reggo23, and ArtByCheyenne (@ArtsyGirlie)
I love the photography and work QL does and he is the inspiration behind a majority of my
pieces! I also love hyper realism and attention to detail that Ahna, Reggie and Chey make with
their works, and the compositions they choose. It's so fye!

Which platforms do you use to share your content? How can people follow you?

You can follow me on Instagram, Threads and TikTok under @WinCreates

You can follow me on Instagram, Threads and TikTok under @WinCreates