Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Bateman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I don’t get asked this much but here goes:
I started drawing at an early age and around the 5th grade I started showing an interest in history, and my best friend at the time was also an artist and he brought in a drawing one morning that he did of an airplane that he drew off of a model box. That was it, I was hooked! I started drawing not only military history but also sports and western history which still interests me to this day. I guess you could say that my friend was instrumental in changing my life at this stage of a young artist’s career. He moved away, we grew up, and I never have been able to locate him to thank him for unknowingly lighting a fire within that remains to this very day. Brian Miller, thank you! You have no idea what you did for me!
Taking art classes in high school I was usually at the top of the pack talent wise and always enjoyed the classes, though many used it as a goof off period it seemed. I personally was interested and tried to learn as much as possible. In my senior year of high school we had a visit from a teacher who taught down in Cincinnati OH and the school was named Central Academy of Commercial Art, I was interested in them as they were in me from reviewing my potential and we went down to visit them one late summer weekend. I told my mom that this is what I wanted to do, and she knew that she had to somehow make it work. Around this time my parents were getting divorced, and a single mother putting a child through college was not an easy task.
I found out much later just how much was sacrificed and how hard this was for her to do. A mother’s love is unstoppable, and this was no exception. She somehow made it all work and I was on my way. I was accepted into this school which was by invitation only and private school with a limited number of students from the tri state area. This school was started by Jackson Grey Storey, a noted and established western artist and illustrator whose art adorned many popular magazine covers throughout his career. Everyone affectionately called him “Pop” Storey, and he had a reputation as being heavy handed yet had a gentle character when needed. The school was started as he realized the commercial art business was just that, a business, and he thought he would start a private school teaching upstarts what he had learned over the span of his career.
Long story short after roughly 25 years in the advertising business, I had always kept up with the fine art side; painting and absorbing anything I could regarding history in my free time: the men, uniforms, machines, weaponry, etc. Over this time around 1995 I started producing prints of my work and had the combatants of the actions depicted would sign these prints which was lucrative for a while until various factors came into play: over saturation of the market along with dwindling signatories due to father time, collector interest, lack of wall space etc.
Fast forward a decade my wife said that I should start thinking about expanding my field of vision and develop other interests that collectors might want, so after a few years of reluctance I started realizing that she was right and began my interest in other areas. Around this time I also had a friend of mine, Russell Smith, who himself is a noted aviation artist and a member of ASAA, a group dedicated to continuing the aviation art genre through teachings and discussions, that we look into the western art side of making a living. We both decided to give it a try and started immersing ourselves in learning the ways of the west through books, narratives, photo shoots out in the field, etc. My work and interest lie primarily with the Native American Indian, though I also enjoy rendering mountain men and the occasional fur trapper, horse studies, and landscapes.
Currently I have begun to be juried into many of the wonderful western fine art shows that are scattered across the U.S. as well as events which always helps to get your name out within the public eye. Many of these shows are high end affairs and are held in well-established galleries, with collectors interested in new artists showing work or with a style that might stand out. I have seen a few of these artists really take off over the past few years, and it is with hope that my work improves and reaches that level of consistency that helps elevate my name within the western art field. It is not an easy thing to do at any age with the excellent competition and work being produced, but I hope with perseverance and a little hard work mixed in with the passion to always learn this could be done. It is always nice for an artist to be recognized within the collector base as this benefits both parties and creates more potential work for the artist.
As with any individual, there are always many people behind success who affect one’s life direction and mine is no exception. From select high school teachers whom I still hear the words in my brain, the many friends, workmates, and most importantly my wife and family who continue to believe in me and my work and have sacrificed much to see me continue to do what I think I am meant to do – a thank you seems insignificant in words. But, thank you from the heart.
Over the years I have personally learned that artistic talent only gets you so far – unless he/she is a prodigy. The remainder work hard, strive, reach, push, learn, and continue to grow and develop within our artistic journeys.
Never get complacent or comfortable. There is always someone ahead of you or behind you that is on your heels wanting what you might have, or vice versa. The art business is a tough one, and developing a thick skin along with persistence and common sense helps one move forward and remain focused.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Many struggles, from personal to developing a mental toughness and using time management efficiently.
I suppose you ask any artist and the story has many similarities: financial, time to do the work, supplies, mentors and teachers who aren’t the best teachers, etc. Not everyone who is a successful artist can teach, I know of many artists that just cannot express their thoughts in an effective way to an individual as a beginner.
I think the most difficult time I have is with the mental toughness, working from the studio it’s only you and it can get solitary weeks on end, but there are many times that you have to be a professional and get through the tough days when the painting just isn’t coming along as planned. Someone told me once that being professional you control the painting, it doesn’t control you.
Please tell us about Bateman Art Studios.
My business is within the art business. Now some out there would laugh and say this isn’t really a viable business, you just sit at home and draw pretty pictures! But until you get inside and learn about it is definitely a tough business to be in. Commodities aren’t a given, and the economy and the folks with expendable income are key in the success of my business.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Oh geez this would take too long. We all have regrets and things we would do differently, anyone has those who live long enough. I think my first regret would be not getting as serious as I should have been while I was younger.
Contact Info:
- Address: Bateman Art Studios
498 Merida Drive
Fallbrook, CA 92028 - Website: www.brianbatemanavart.com
- Phone: 760 331 3944
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