Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanna Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well to begin, I initially never envisioned myself becoming an artist or even being interested in the lifestyle. I had only picked up drawing traditionally out of competition with my older brother. I’d watch him paint landscapes, unique faceless figures, and his own tattoo designs! I always looked up to him for this reason and I used drawing as a way to bond with him but I had other passions that distracted me from drawing. As a child, I’d been blessed enough to hold three separate abilities- flexibility, singing, and drawing. Also since a child, I have been admittedly shy at times and my interest in gymnastics allowed me to literally spring out of my comfort zone and I began to open up and make friends while still diligently giving time to my other two passions in my downtime. Sadly, in 2006 there had been a screening at my school where I’d learn that I have scoliosis and this would change my life forever. I had to go through surgery and months of physical therapy, knowing that I’d never do another flip, another back-bend, or even be able to bounce on a trampoline again. Doctors told me it’d be a miracle if I ever even walked again. But I did it! and during my initial recovery, I became more acquainted with traditional drawing and unknowingly began a lifelong relationship with the craft from the confines of my bed.
Before I knew it, I was using my abilities to draw to help manage my anxiety as well as help with my attention in class and before long I was known as the girl with the sketchbook. I took my book with me to school, church, friends’ houses, and everywhere! My sketchbook was my baby. Even though things seemed to be going well creatively, my art was still a secret. Until one day in 2011, a friend of mine stole a glance at the book I had been scribbling in throughout the year and she sprinted to the art teacher to show her. I was mortified. When the teacher looked in my book, she sharply questioned me and asked, “Why have you not BEEN in my class??” I was overjoyed that she liked my creations since obviously, I respected her opinion and also admired her work as well. I was shortly enrolled in AP art classes where I had the opportunity to gain experience with countless mediums! I quickly gained the preference of acrylic paint and the concept of mixed media projects in that class and never looked back.
Everything was going great for that first year but the more advanced the classes got, the more strict the teachers were and the art turned into an obligation rather than a passion. This is due to the horrible atmosphere of the classes as I go from instructor to instructor. All of the students felt the same way I did and I couldn’t make a passing grade unless I created things based off of my professor’s preferences and I felt trapped. This is where my name comes from- RebelQueso. Rebel is the art, Queso is the artist (my name is Bree and brie is a type of cheese.) After those classes ended, I decided to take to social media and try to begin a ‘side-hustle” with art. My first experience was a scam where my art was stolen and my next few were not profitable in the slightest but I never gave up! After selling my first original in 2018, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Now I’m a full time artist with the skills of painting, traditional drawing, digital painting, and murals. I participate in events regularly and now I’ve been asked to interview! What a ride it’s been and I’m so grateful to share my story with you all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. The phrase “starving artist” exists for a reason. It’s hard to create with the intrusive thoughts of how the public may respond to your work: if they’ll like it if it’ll be worth any money to them, if you’ll even finish within a reasonable timeframe. It weighs on a person mentally. When something that’s so freeing that you used to do alone becomes a shared profitable experience- art for money. It’s a bit of a rocky transition for multiple reasons. However, once you find your audience and other like-minded friends, things get alot easier. The key is to not people please. Not with your creative subjects, your style, or even your prices. Always do what’s genuine to you. After gaining this new perspective, the biggest struggle for me was and continues to be artist’s block. It definitely is connected to my anxiety but I found ways around it most of the time. I’ve become comfortable with my process being to work on multiple works at once and just work on whichever, whenever. Progress is progress. I also use my mentally blocked moments to inspire a certain project that revolves around that idea. But that’s a conversation for another day while it’s in progress.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an artist, what I have to offer are original mixed media and acrylic paintings, stickers, posters, and canvas prints. My specialty is mixed media work which typically includes acrylic paint partnered with materials such as glass, beads, mirrors, or other found objects.
I think that what sets me apart from others is my melding of abstract and portrait styles as well as my love for vivid colors. What I’m most proud of is my undying passion for the arts. I had originally feared that focusing on art in a certain like would diminish my love for it but I have pleasantly been proven wrong.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Advice for networking? I have none. I do my absolute best. Fortunately for me, I am well-received when meeting people most of the time but prayer and remaining as positive as I can has worked wonders for me thus far! Typically I just mingle at shows and hand out as many cards as I can whenever I can.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelquesoart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebelQueso
