Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Powell
Hi Brandon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Art has saved my life! I originally started painting in 2017 because I wanted to decorate my house with art but didn’t have the money for original paintings, so I created my own. Then I stopped painting after my walls were filled. In 2023 I was laid off twice and experienced depression and the disappointment of applying for, and being rejected by jobs I was overqualified for, having worked in marketing for 14 years at that point.
Rather than continue applying to dozens of jobs everyday, I gave myself a cut off time for applications and decided to do something I forgot I loved instead. Art! So I started painting again in 2024.
My art journey started at a young age. I don’t remember a time when I was young when I couldn’t draw. Growing up with 4 siblings and sharing a room with one for 15 years, you have to find your own place of peace. Drawing was that for me.
I’m from the IE (Inland Empire), more specifically I’m from The Toe (Rialto). I remember countless days drawing pictures from my favorite comic books and cartoons. It was my escape from the stress and violence I experienced once I walked out my door.
My childhood was rough but fun. It was this upbringing that has inspired my art most. I paint to remind myself of a simpler time when my brothers and I got flavored water from the water hose and our idea of screen time was looking through the screen door waiting to go outside.
The goal of my art is to help people connect with the fun memories of their youth, and to make people smile.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road of life has definitely not been smooth. My passion for creating was born out of a need to escape the realities of growing up as a young Black man in Southern California in the 90s where saying the wrong thing or wearing the wrong color on the wrong block could get you hurt.
The realities of life make my art career feel smooth, although it took being laid off twice in a year for me to pivot from a 14 year marketing career to full time artist. Having early success in my art career helped fuel that transition.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My paintings come from my unique experiences. My recent paintings are intended to cause people to reflect on the best parts of life.
My style is very unique. My current series called “Stuff of Legend” is getting great reviews and recognition for the uniqueness of the style and storytelling (I sold out the first edition of 8 paintings in this series in one day last October at the Beverly Hills Art Show).
I was initially inspired for this series by watching my daughter’s aggressive love towards her stuffies, which reminded me of how we all had that one stuffed animal we loved a little too hard and kept too long. For me, this series invokes memories of the simplest times in most of our lives. These memories are encapsulated in each painting of imperfect stuffed animals that have survived someones childhood. The rips and patches detail the love given to each stuffy, similar to the love and care every kid deserves.
How do you think about happiness?
Art and my family make me happy. I draw inspiration and determination from watching my kids enjoy life. Between their happiness and experiencing the joy and love of my wife, I go to bed happy most nights.
Pricing:
- While my originals may run into the thousands, I gladly sell prints on my website.
- Commissions are available.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Artxbe.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/artxbe
Image Credits
Ashane Bernard
