Today we’d like to introduce you to Brother Bruce
Hi Brother, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was heavily exposed to art as a child by my neighbor, who was an art teacher. Her daughters used to have me over and get out the art supplies. I took what I learned from them into Elementary School and I’ve been delving into some form of art discipline ever since. I studied commercial and fine art in college. Heavily influenced by children’s art, Mexican folk art, abstract and figurative sculpture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
An artist who criticized my art some years ago once said “Art is hard.” I replied, “If making art is so hard for you, then you should probably do something else.” In college, one of my instructors told me I should find another vocation. As a result, I switched my major from fine art to communications. But I continued to create some form of art as the years went by. I met with some adversity, but I wouldn’t say it was a struggle. Maybe it’s because I always made things for my own desire and not to impress others. Art is a personal dialog that communicates the creator’s personal dreams, and experiences. It’s a real bonus when you discover people who can translate your art into something they can relate to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I work primarily in paper-mache and three-dimensional sculptures. My pieces can be described as nieve-art or folk art, influenced New Orleans and Hoodoo/Vo0doo culture. Unlike other artists, I like to include a story with each piece.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I always recommend getting involved with art organizations that focus on the development of “local” art. These organizations, such as “Arts Southeast or The Sulpher Gallery” here in Savannah, are a hotbed for artist networking and fostering artists supporting artists.
Contact Info:
