Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianica Bowen.
Hi Brianica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always wanted to be an artist. As a kid, my younger brother was seen as the artist and I was seen more as the singer. It is funny how the roles have changed. I started my artistic journey by making comic books. I learned from the comics my Mom and my Aunt would buy for me. I honestly forgot how fun it was being a young cartoonist at age 10. I used to bring my art to my elementary school (LaBelle Elementary) and my friends and teachers loved it! being a little cartoon artist led me wanting to be a fashion designer. I used to have my sketchbook with me at all times just drawing different dress styles on models I made up in my mind. That is when I realized I wanted to learn how to draw more realistic.
In high school (Hillgrove High School), my favorite class was art. I loved all the projects I had to do and art was always my escape from reality. My art teacher was a very quirky and interesting person who would often tell me my art was at college level. She is the reason why I pursued art in college.
Moving forward to my college years, I went to Kennesaw State University and was accepted into the art program. I had an actual celebration for getting accepted because I was so nervous. College art definitely was not the same as high school art which was a big change I loved, but it was very scary. I used to come to school at 8am and get out at 11pm staying after to paint. After school, I would go to work. I also found out I was pregnant toward the end of my school year. So, I had a very busy life which led to many many breakdowns, but I kept my head high and continued to enjoy my time in school. After 5 years of school, I graduated with my BFA and that was a HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders. My time in college is something I will always cherish. My professors always pushed me to do and be better even if I did not like it. I have met so many amazing artists that have impacted me and I luckily still call them my friends.
After college life, I had to deal with the real world, meaning putting myself and my art out there. I struggled with that a lot because I never thought my art was good enough. Believe it or not, 2021 is when I stopped comparing myself and my art to other amazing artists and accepted that I am also an amazing artist. I have worked hard to get to this point and I will continue to do so.
I now have my own art business making paintings to show the world. I also paint on clothes!
I am truly grateful to be where I am now and I cannot wait to finally get my art into galleries!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road for me. I have a busy life just like everyone else on this planet. I now have 2 highly energetic kids who regularly run into my studio to either see what I am painting or eat my paintbrushes. I would not trade them for ANYTHING in the world. They are little artists following my footsteps.
I mentioned that I have my own business and I have only owned it for about 4 months now. Owning a business is EXTREMELY hard. I am putting myself out there which I am not used to at all. I am making content and trying to be more consistent with posting on my social media page. There are so many things that I am still learning and I will not give up.
I am currently re-writing my artist statement and re-designing my website to match the kind of art I make now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I used to define myself as a graphite artist and color pencil artist, but it is important to do a little bit of everything since art is and always will change. Right now, I mainly paint with oils and a little bit of acrylic.
I love painting portraits and the human figure of all colors, shapes, and sizes, but my main focus is painting beautiful black people. Our skin ranges from light to dark and we have beautiful hair texture. I want to make sure to express that in my art. When I take a break from painting people, I enjoy painting clouds, beaches, and on clothes. You might find some sparkles in my art too. I always have my head in the clouds daydreaming about many things, so I love studying about clouds and the many shapes clouds can form.
I think about how much my art has changed and how much knowledge I have gained over the years. You really do not realize how different your art looks until you look at something you have made years ago. I really have came a long way and I am so proud of myself.
I remember a time when I kept mimicking other artist’s styles because I liked that they used this certain shape or this certain color and it made me lose what I truly like and what makes me different. I kept trying to force a style out of my hands whenever I would move my brush across my canvas, but that only made me feel overwhelmed. Progress does not happen overnight. That is something I had to realize the hard way, but I now have a beautiful painting style of my own. I paint with a base color (mainly pink) and when I finish, I leave a little bit of the base color showing. I love to show a little bit of how I started my painting and then I add drips of color from whatever person or thing I create on my canvas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I remember telling myself how I needed more exposure and I read the email I received from VoyageATL asking if I would like to do an interview and I was like “AHHHH!” Haha. That to me was good luck.
Besides being happy and appreciative about this interview, I always have felt like an unlucky person. But, that is not true. I am a VERY lucky person. I have an amazing support system who help me with my dream, such as buying supplies when it gets too expensive, setting up my studio space, helping me with my kids, I am extremely lucky and thankful.
Pricing:
- Custom clothes starting price $85
- Prices depend on time, canvas size, and material cost. Send me an email at bribowenart@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram for commission prices.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/bri.bowen.art
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/brianicabowen
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/brianicabowen
- Other: www.instagram.com/brianica.l.b
Image Credits
Denzel J Palmer (palmgutta) (blackrenaissancemgmt) Denzel J Palmer (palmgutta) (blackrenaissancemgmt)
