The Art of Being Unapologetic

I have always been told that I was EXTRA—in capital letters. And we all know what that means. Too much. Over the top. Loud. Attention-seeking. But I didn’t care.

Growing up, I embraced it. I wasn’t trying to fit in. When I worked in finance, I refused to be the suit-and-tie guy. On dress-down days, I showed up in Italian red snakeskin cowboy boots—just to remind myself that I still had control over who I was. But over time, I started shrinking. I started dulling myself down. Being “extra” became a problem instead of a personality.

And then life happened.

Turning 50… becoming the primary caretaker for my mother, who’s now in a nursing home… going through years of hiding behind things that weren’t real—drugs, sex, hookup apps—just to feel seen. And let me be honest: I don’t regret any of it. I am thankful for the experiences because they forced me to confront myself. To ask, “Who the hell am I when I strip all this away?”

That’s when unapologetic art found me. Or maybe, that’s when I finally found it.

Faces Tell Stories—Mine, Yours, Everyone’s

People always used to say, “Oh my God, I can read your mind! Your face says it all.”

That stuck with me. Faces tell stories.

Some of us wear our pain. Some of us hide it. Some people see what they want to see. That’s what makes faces so damn interesting. You think you know a person just by looking at them? Look again.

That’s why I center faces in my art. Because we all have a story. And being unapologetic means owning that story—whether people like it or not.

Not Everyone Gets It—And That’s Okay

I’ve had this conversation so many times.

People have different reactions to my art. My mom? She doesn’t like it. It doesn’t speak to her. And I get it. She’s from a different generation, and she also knows me personally. She sees sadness in my work—even in pieces that I don’t see as sad at all.

But that’s her experience. Art doesn’t give you one answer. It gives you your own answer. It reflects back whatever’s inside you.

That’s what I love about it.

Why I Use Metal as My Medium

The medium I use is metal. And yeah, that surprises people.

It’s not what they expect. They’re used to canvas, paper, oil paintings. But metal does something different. It takes the details and makes them pop. It forces you to see the art differently.

And then the faces? They hit you in the face. The level of detail on aluminum is so intense, so sharp, so raw that you can’t ignore it.

I know—some people don’t want to hang faces in their home. But that’s why I tell collectors:

Dare yourself.

Put it up and see what happens. When someone walks in and says, “Who is that?” don’t tell them. Instead, ask:

“What do you see?”

See where that conversation takes you.

The Awakening—My Favorite Piece Yet

I’ve created a lot of art that I love. But The Awakening?

This one is different. This one is me.

It represents my own epiphany. My realization. My rebirth.

And let me tell you—when I finished it, when I made the final tweak, when I took a step back and really looked at it—

I screamed.
I gasped.
I jumped up and down.

And all I could say was: “Oh my God. This is beautiful.”

That moment? That’s why I do this.

The Biggest Misconception About Bold, Unapologetic Art

Some people don’t see my work as “real art.”

They say it’s weird.
They say it’s strange.
They say it’s too much.

But I ask: why does art have to be safe?
Why does it have to be easy?

People use words like “odd” and “strange” when they don’t know how to process something. But I’d rather my art be called:

• Provocative
• Shocking
• Engaging
• Unforgettable

Because art should make you feel something.

Advice for New Art Collectors: Don’t Play It Safe

If you’re starting your art collection, here’s my advice:

• Be open-minded. Look beyond the expected.
• Choose art that challenges you. If it makes you uncomfortable, lean into that.
• Stop worrying about what other people think. Buy what speaks to you.

If you have to question whether you should hang a piece in your home, you’re not ready for unapologetic art.

But if you’re ready to have a real conversation with your walls—then you’re ready for Milton Wes Art.

Final Thought: Unapologetic Art is a Movement

There is too much safe art in the world.

Mass-produced, generic, forgettable art that fits neatly into a space without making an impact.

That’s not what I do.

I create art that demands attention. That challenges perspectives. That tells a story.

Milton Wes Art is a movement. It’s a rebellion against being invisible. It’s a celebration of standing in your truth.

Are you ready to claim your statement?

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