Bryan Paredes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Bryan, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
With today’s circumstances of the world around us, this couldn’t have been more relatable than anything else to answer. What I’m sure of is I’m walking on a path I’ve decided to take, thing is I’m not sure where its taking me and suddenly I am wandering. I’m at a crossroad with my career with art as I think more and more of how sad the predicament has become to be apart of this scene. I believe everything is too much about marketing and big businesses buying out all the spaces for local small artists to use and turn it into a glorified airbnb studio for hourly use to make money, It’s all for clicks, clout, etc. I think that kills community and exploits artists, its almost like everything is “pay to play” even galleries are asking their artists to put in money to be apart of an exhibition that the curator doesn’t even know who they’re representing as long as they get paid.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a contemporary Artist residing in Orlando, Florida but grew up in Miami. I paint about the constant anguish of our surroundings affecting our mind and body. The human form takes a strong intrigue to me as it’s an expressive form that anyone can relate. It’s what we experience and we see everyday albeit by looking at a mirror, film, pictures and/or everyday people on the streets. You can see all kinds of expressions through the face and body language. It’s important to paint things that constantly remind people we live in different realities but the feeling can collectively trigger emotions simultaneously and have everyone who lay their eyes on a painting understand the stress that’s causing within you with that image. I’ve decided to paint for myself as the world of art has become too broad. Everything is about trends and truthfully I can’t keep up with that. Why would I want to do something I really don’t like, or really hate? I’ll keep painting what I like with my subject, I do not care if it doesn’t fit the color wave of their couch. Someone will admire the series I put out, this way it feels more liberating that keeps me peace at mind.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I took an experimental film class in my junior year at the university. In that class I learned how to become an artist. There was no rubric, no specific skill that got sharpened, simply just a click in my mind. My professor taught in a way that didn’t feel like I was in class, it was genuine flow of understanding the concept of thinking outside the box. Originally I wanted to be a filmmaker but in the end I realized big productions is too much to handle and after this class I pivot to a smaller production which was painting, only something I can control and express. I learned being an artist is a mental thing not fully a skill thing. In the art world once you have that mentality, the skill you’ll sharpen for the rest of your life and learn the business aspect then you can be ready for any challenge that comes towards you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. Painting is too much to bare sometimes, emotionally. When the piece doesn’t click in within you its maybe the worst feeling to ever feel. Its a lot of frustration that comes with it. It’s to satisfy me no one else. Sometimes the high of the satisfaction of the last piece is so good, once its over and I come back down to earth and get on with the next piece I get pretty irritated. Sometimes I can tell things are not going well with just a few strokes from the brush. I keep going and I’m getting more annoyed I would have to stop and maybe start over, even take a day or two week break if I must. On top of all that, the stem of my true frustration comes from outside my comfort small studio. It’s how people view art, I understand how everything has changed but does that mean we have to move forward with it and follow what everyone else is doing? We still haven’t left the Basquiat graffiti like paintings (some people even claim they never seen his work while making similar looking ones!) Its almost become like fashion. Trendy, iconography , or minimal level of abstraction with chaotic doodling. There’s nothing wrong with that its just we’ve seen it, many times and even IF I follow these trends I would be absolutely bored of it by the second painting. My absolute problem is I cant stay on theme for more than a 3 piece series because I absolutely lose interest and there’s nothing more of a bigger sin in this world than boring art.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
Making content for the online world is the new art scene. I don’t buy that nor do I really want to participate in it. It’s funny most people won’t outwardly agree but deep inside or in private would. I think this is the aspect I hate most. I hate making “content” I make it to the point I’m comfortable with and to log my work. When I first started I did the videos and all that but I really started to hate it and it really became a bother. Eventually, I realized I don’t need this and it does bug me when I feel if I don’t put this unnecessary extra work I won’t be “as seen” online but that’s just a demeaning way to make the artist do extra useless work. I painted my piece, I took my pictures and edited them. Let me just post them as a log and have people view them but of course these tech industries think building an algorithm is the best “invention” in the past decade or so when in reality I think its what killing the art culture and authenticity that artists try to build just goes away as you gotta follow these ridiculous rules of posting so you can even get 40% (give or take) of your audience to see your post of your piece. I think its very disingenuous and adds constrains to the artist to market themselves. it use to be easy but now we are all forced to trying to get in on our 15 seconds of fame.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
This is essentially what an artist is. We paint to the satisfaction of others and most importantly yourself. When you start you want instant gratification, you want people to know you immediately like “Picasso”, granted this is the direct consequences of social media inflating everyone’s ego quietly to make themselves feel as important as their favorite painter. After years of disappointment, failures, and not much to show outside the online world other than DIY small pop up shows all you can do is make the work you like and it may never be seen in person, I’ve come to terms with that. I frame my pieces knowing it won’t be apart of gallery or a show but maybe one day a client buys it and I feel okay if its in someone’s home being admired. I’m a quiet and calm person, I’m perfectly fine with painting a masterpiece and it will never been seen by anyone other than those who are close to me. It’s happened throughout the history of art, film, and literature. Will it be discovered one day a hundred years later? I’ll be contempt because I will be in the shadows of the after life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dreamsofcasanova
Image Credits
Brenna Douglas (Main photo of me)
Rest are my pictures (Bryan Paredes)
