We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brian BAaeman. Check out our conversation below.
Brian, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What battle are you avoiding?
deadlines!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brian Bateman and I would like to be known to as an historical artist-by that I mean that most everything that I paint, draw or create has some connection to history or an historical event. Since we last talked I am now more versed in the Native American/Western art genre and have been at this as well for roughly 8 years now as well as the aviation genre which I still love to do work on. I just finished up a book cover for P-38 ace Thomas McGuire for Casemate Books and hopefully I will be creating more work for these gentlemen in the future depicting U.S. Medal of Honor recipients.
Much of my story can be viewed during a recent interview with Fine Art Studios/Boldbrush interview with Laura Arango Baier and one can watch this here which will tell you much more about me than what we might have time for here:
https://artists.boldbrush.com/p/brian-bateman-be-tenacious
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I have had so many peers that have taught me and nurtured my talent over the years-from my parents to high school and college teachers that took notice of my work and through tough lessons I was able to strive for more-but as soon as I graduated from art college into the real working world and I obtained my first job in the graphic design field and stayed within this area for 3 decades before a chance rose from a lay off becoming the right place at the right time for delving back into my painting career full time. In so doing the reality was such that I had to struggle for some time before I was able to find a direction and to see that I needed to learn much more regarding my craft-this included marketing oneself, more education in areas that were a personal weakness and taking critiques from artistic peers-artists that have long admired and were kind enough to give me their thoughts on what I might do to the piece or asked question regarding my approach-IMO there is nothing more beneficial to personal artistic growth than a good ol’ butt kickin’, because how else are you really going to grow- through the internet? Not for me. While this has its advantages it is only another tool that can be used but having a critique from an artist that is established but has also been involved within the business of art (and it is a business) can only give oneself an honest and sometimes brutal opinion of your work-and I have had many critiques over the decades! I strongly believe that an artist absolutely should learn how to take constructive criticism and not live within their personal bubble-you can’t really learn in that environment being afraid of what others may think of your work until you develop a tough mental being, and depending on the individual it takes time. But, I have learned from each one of these meetings – the point I’m trying to get across is that the one on one conversations in itself are the most beneficial. Watching a fellow artist paint, observing the choice of pallette used, additives, the tricks and tips one can assess from some of these meetings are priceless.
Ask questions, educate yourself, and always learn!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely-I think just about any artist has at one time or another thought of throwing in the paint rag-but then do what? Now I had worked in the graphic design field for 3o years before I had the chance to devote myself full time to painting. This isn’t without its pitfalls and most of all the financial struggles that are ever present-bills still need to be paid and we can’t live on dreams alone unfortunately. I have been so lucky to have my wife who has been my biggest fan (next to my mom who was and continues to believe) and she has allowed me to pursue my art career with her full support-not easy and not everyone could do this, it takes a special person to be flexible through the lean times and to trust what the end goal may be. It can still be a struggle but I think we have learned the ways of artistic living better now and have learned to go with it, but the pressure of creating a piece and trying to sell it always remains. After all it is what we do, and at times a piece that you hope might sell does not and a piece you aren’t too sure of will sell-its what a particular piece does for the collector whether it be the colors, emotion, or presentation.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
For any artist, at least for me, is easy- the fundamentals. Drawing, color, tonal values, composition, edges – all of these, and many more, are at the core of what makes an artist true to the craft. Drawing trumps everything I have listed, because without this important skill your destined to not go too far.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Well an interesting question- I think that immediately I would stop worrying about things that are out of my control-we cannot control many things other than try to focus on our own self being and happiness. Whatever career that you choose you can control aspects of this over time but learning to roll with outcomes and personal hardships is always a challenge, but these are what makes us grow into better more rounded human beings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brianbatemanartstudios.com
- Instagram: batemanartstudios
- Facebook: brian.bateman.161
Image Credits
brian bateman
