b'God-Given TalentAaron Reed, an inspirational self-taught artist from Albany, Georgia, reflects on the last 18 years of his life and how he was able to develop his talent to create his dream business. I still have my Valdosta phone number because Valdosta is where it all began, he shared. Reed recalls his time at Valdosta State University studying marketing at the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration and remembers taking needed breaks outside the Student Union where he waited for his patty melt while drawing self-portraits of students. He realized there was a respect for his talent when students began offering to pay him for his work.While taking classes in the business school, Reed participated in an organization then known as SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise, and remembers having the opportunity to pursue a few different job opportunities. Even with those job offers, everything always came back to art. He viewed this as a sign and became more serious about developing his talent.Reed began spending hours upon hours painting and creating.God blessed me with a gift, he said.Upon recognizing the depth of his ability, he decided to pursue a career in art.In 2005, his senior year, Reed was recognized as Artist of the Year at VSU and was among one of the youngest artists to exhibit at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans as well as the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, both nationally acclaimed events.Understanding that he needed to continue making a name for himself, Reed began networking so that he could become immersed within the world of art. Aaron Reed"Fantasy" SPRING 2021 19'