Hayden Smith is a copywriter, poet and author, who’s currently working on lifestyle magazine CHAZ

Hayden Smith's favourite spot to write — Hayden Smith: My favourite spot to write is the mouth of the creek at Deukmejian Wilderness Park

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Hayden Smith, I’m a copywriter, poet, and author.

Why do you do what you do?

I write because I love it. I mean truly, deeply love it. It’s provided me with a certain inexplicable freedom that I cannot live without. It’s been this way ever since my first journal in grade school.

What’s your background?

I’m a first generation American. My dad is from Trinidad and my mom is front St. Lucia.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Inspiration.

What role does the artist have in society?

I believe artists are the voices of society. I think that speaks for itself, no pun intended.

What art do you most identify with?

Visual art, because I’m a visual learner. That includes music by the way, because music is visual to me. I see every note, every story painted by each lyric and each rhythm.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

The first time I ever watched Star Wars.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

In 2009 I once woke up in last night’s clothes in the middle of summer, after too much vodka and too many cigarettes with two good friends.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I worked at Godiva Chocolatier, Hot Topic, and I was a security guard at a museum for a while, ha.

Why art?

I never had any other choice, art chose me.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

I tend to spend a lot of time in seclusion when I’m deep into my work. I’ve noticed that most artists do. To counteract it I try to maintain a healthy social life. Going out with friends, dating, that sort of thing.

What do you dislike about the art world?

The elitism.

What is your dream project?

CHAZ Magazine, a lifestyle mag I’m currently working on!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

My dad once said “sometimes it’s not what you do that counts, it’s what you don’t do.”

Follow Hayden on his Facebook page and check out his books.