Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Kirby.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been doing art since I was a young child. I come from a family of artists. My grandfather, father, and younger brother all draw. I began taking my art more seriously shortly after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture. I was always told to pursue something more realistic. However, the universe had other plans. I had an internship at a design firm and it just wasn’t for me. I decided to start taking my art seriously so I started my own business in 2018. I began selling prints, pins, and commissions and it gave me a sense of fulfillment.
I took a break from my business recently just to focus more on my other art aspirations for a while. I want to be an illustrator and less of a painter. I love painting but I love illustration art. I’ve been dabbling in more digital art and mediums like gouache just to try new things. Along the way, I felt that I needed more foundational skills.
This fall I recently decided to take my art to the next level and I applied for art school. I am currently working on a Master’s of Fine Art with a focus in Illustration. I aspire to write and draw my own comics/ graphic novels and work for an art studio like Marvel or DC comics.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A large obstacle I have faced is attempting to build self-esteem and confidence through mastering my art. I didn’t start feeling this way until I starting posting on social media more. I’m exposed to other artists which is great but it made me question if I’m skilled enough to sell my own art. As a self-taught artist, I didn’t have all the foundational knowledge that artists who when to art school have. The lack of those fundamentals made me pushed me to pursue a Master of Fine Art in illustration.
Another obstacle I faced was finding my own art style. A lot of established artists have a solid style and I found it hard to make myself a household name if I can’t find my art style. However, I’m giving myself grace and time to explore. I can solidify my art in due time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently specialize in painting and digital illustration. While I have stepped away from acrylic painting on canvas I have begun painting with gouache (opaque watercolor) on paper more. I have done a ton of digital illustrations for t-shirt designs, book covers & portraits. I enjoy illustration more and I plan to continue on this path. I’ve very proud that people enjoy my art no matter what medium I choose. I believe my versatility sets me apart. I am a jack of many trades purely because I enjoy experimenting. I’m known for creating cute, sometimes music-inspired pieces that depict Black people.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I believe representation matters. We live in a world where a lot of the people we see don’t always reflect our own culture or ethnicity. Too often, Black people are underrepresented. I love seeing people that look like me in all facets of life. Not just me but Black children need to see themselves represented so they believe they can do it too. Growing up I wasn’t always exposed to Black artists and I wish that I was. I probably wouldn’t have waited so long to pursue a career in the art industry if I was exposed sooner. With the use of social media, I was able to be exposed to an overwhelming amount of Black painters and illustrators. Seeing them inspired me to go for me dreams and I hope I can do the same for others!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittanyjkirbyart.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inferno_art96/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infernoart96/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/inferno_art96
Image Credits
I, Brittany J. Kirby
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