Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Valadez.
Bryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I guess you could say that there were signs of being an artist early on in my life. I was always drawing or looking at things that caught my eye, be it a painting or the unique designs of nature. Rather than giving my undivided attention to the teacher that day: I would just wonder how I could draw a turtle or dinosaur. I was always trying to absorb my environment and reflect back into the world in a way that was my own. These artistic curiosities would only amplify with time.
More specifically, my medium is in drawing and painting. I starting taking the artist path more seriously in freshman year of high school. When it came time to go to college, I really had no idea want I wanted to do for a degree but I did know that I wanted to include painting and drawing in whatever I would decide to pursue. In 2016 I graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos with a double major – BFA in painting and BA in art history. Soon after graduating, I felt that my pursuit in learning how to paint was not satisfied, and to be honest I don’t feel as it ever will be. Though I do think that anyone who wants to get better at their craft can relate.
With that in mind, I worked to save funds for about two years to go to Florence Italy to study at an art atelier called Angel Academy of Art. Angel Academy focuses on old master’s style of painting. I had an amazing time in Florence, I met a great teacher by the name of Davide Barbini who’s great artistic advice and friendship I cherish. I also came across a hand full of fantastic people who have had an influence on my time abroad. And the city of Florence itself is a remarkable place to be for any artist wanting to look for inspiration. There were times that I was left in awe, knowing that I was walking the same streets that Michelangelo or Da Vinci have also walked.
After a year of being in Italy, my road brought me back to the US.
At the moment I am back in Dallas, working to making more artwork to sell and promote my craft. I love painting and really can’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think that any road that includes something you are passionate about will have its’ struggles.
Starting off with my time in college, my first semester was just trying to figure out what kind of degree I wanted to take on. For one whole semester, it was communication design- but once I learned that it had to deal with computers, I was out. I still needed a degree to study. I needed something to sustain a form of living so I could continue doing art in some way. So the response to leaving communication design was art education. It was not only an opportunity to be a form of encouragement to any student looking for a solution to their artistic obstacles but also I could continue my own personal artwork on the side. After a year of checking off the classes required to graduate, I sort of had a revelation. The realization that I was not ready to walk into the world of teaching just yet, the realization that I wanted to master the use of a paintbrush for my own artistic need. So again I changed my degree program one more time. And although it would require more hours and credits, I was more than willing to fire off in the direction that I felt was right.
Another struggle is something that has still yet be resolved, my own personal standard of my art. I constantly am looking for ways to get better. It ranges from looking at various art videos on technique, studying old master’s paintings at museums or experimenting with the mediums themselves for a possible break in what I consider a limitation in knowledge. What does relieve the anxiety of wanting to be better is knowing that I do dedicate myself to it. By putting in the time, I know that things will eventually click and things will start making more sense -resulting in getting closer to the very best I can be.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
Oil paintings. I paint landscapes and am inspired by the impressionist, the realist and romanticist to create my work. What I am most proud of is that my style in unique to me and feel that people can point out my work if placed in a room full of paintings once they get to know the type of art that I do.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
It comes in two levels.
The first and foundation to everything- a personal satisfaction in creating work that I am proud of. When I make a painting that is true to myself, then I feel that it is successful. If audiences do not like it, that is fine, I will never be able to please everyone.
The second- finding a way to making my passion into a career. I believe that I can learn more about the world through my artwork. Such meeting people through shared ideas about art, exploring the globe to find more painting ideas or being able to sell work to be able to sustain a form of living.
Contact Info:
- Website: bryanvaladez.com
- Phone: 9729774598
- Email: bryan.valadez.92@gmail.com
- Instagram: bvaladezart
Image Credit:
Bryan Valadez
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