{BRYCE HUFFMAN ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}
What medium(s) do you work in? and why is this your preferred medium?
My preferred medium is acrylic. My work is made up almost entirely from textures and linework, and acrylic is the only medium I am able to get the aesthetics I am going for. I can blend, dry brush, spray paint, layer and sand a piece all in one working session. I don't have the patience to let a piece grow for weeks or months. Silkscreening has also become a big part of my work. I can control the line-weight with a pen/marker with more control and speed than I ever could with a brush, so once I have the drawing done and the screen set up all I have to worry about is the the colour and texture that I paint into it.
Who or What Inspires you?
It was a very pessimistic view but I think you have to look at what we are doing to the world around us and just cringe sometimes. Probably my biggest inspiration is to take these aspects of mans destructive control over the world and drag them into the spotlight. A lot of my pieces are battles between man and nature, each trying to consume the other. Aesthetically, I am heavily inspired by the west coast skater/ pop art/ lowbrow work. It's interesting to hear where people think my work is derived from, whether it's retro silkscreen posters, tattoo work, graffiti, etc. I think it is a blend of all of them. I pay a lot of attention to line weight and composition in my pieces, so about 90% of the piece is very tight and controlled, which is why I use a lot of texture and pattern to loosen and break it up a little.
It was a very pessimistic view but I think you have to look at what we are doing to the world around us and just cringe sometimes. Probably my biggest inspiration is to take these aspects of mans destructive control over the world and drag them into the spotlight. A lot of my pieces are battles between man and nature, each trying to consume the other. Aesthetically, I am heavily inspired by the west coast skater/ pop art/ lowbrow work. It's interesting to hear where people think my work is derived from, whether it's retro silkscreen posters, tattoo work, graffiti, etc. I think it is a blend of all of them. I pay a lot of attention to line weight and composition in my pieces, so about 90% of the piece is very tight and controlled, which is why I use a lot of texture and pattern to loosen and break it up a little.
As an artist how do you deal with criticism what do you think can be gained from being open to critique?Criticism is the catalyst for creative growth. It is the most honest advice you can get about your work. A friend/ fellow artist Chris Brett explained to me that you don't learn from someone saying they love your work. You need that support every once in a while to keep you going, but the occasional harsh comment keeps you from becoming stale or narrow minded. At the same time criticism should not necessarily be followed verbatim, only you know what direction you want your work to move in. You need to grow a think skin as an artist. I don't think shying away from open criticism is a good thing, just be ready to defend your view if you have to.
Why Art? And why in Hamilton?
I don't think I ever considered a different route than art. It is what my life revolves around. I am not sure what field of work I will end up in, but if it isn't art or doesn't give me the freedom to create than it's not even an option. Hamilton is where I was born and have lived for almost my entire life. For now, Hamilton just makes sense. I can afford to rent a studio here, and actually have time to work in it! I have been showing here for the last 5 years, during which time I have learned how to deal with clients, curators, shop owners and collectors all 20 minutes from my where I was born.
I don't think I ever considered a different route than art. It is what my life revolves around. I am not sure what field of work I will end up in, but if it isn't art or doesn't give me the freedom to create than it's not even an option. Hamilton is where I was born and have lived for almost my entire life. For now, Hamilton just makes sense. I can afford to rent a studio here, and actually have time to work in it! I have been showing here for the last 5 years, during which time I have learned how to deal with clients, curators, shop owners and collectors all 20 minutes from my where I was born.
Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
I'm only a few years into doing art outside of school, so I still have a lot to learn, but I have also learned a lot about 'living as an artist' in this time. I'm fortunate enough to live in a city that is very encouraging of new art. I was able to get a number of shows in Hamilton (maybe too many), and they range from 100% curated shows where all I am responsible for is getting the art finished and framed to setting up the show from the ground up. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, but I think experiencing both is essential. If you want to be an artist that shows in galleries, then organize, or at least be part of the organization of getting the show together. Having to go through the pains of all the small things that occur in the show process will help you appreciate the work that gallery owners have to go through on a day to day basis, and will make it easier to deal with owners/ curators in the future. The other thing is, get you name out! I hear this from every artist I talk to, but it is true; no one is going to randomly walk into your studio one day and offer you a show. You have to let people know who you are. Find every avenue that your work can be shown and pursue it. Find online art communities to receive criticism from, and update consistently. At the moment I am in the process of getting my site organized so that everything is in one place; portfolio, gallery, blog and contact info. The less clicks a person has to do to see your work/ products, the more likely they are to actually check it out.
I'm only a few years into doing art outside of school, so I still have a lot to learn, but I have also learned a lot about 'living as an artist' in this time. I'm fortunate enough to live in a city that is very encouraging of new art. I was able to get a number of shows in Hamilton (maybe too many), and they range from 100% curated shows where all I am responsible for is getting the art finished and framed to setting up the show from the ground up. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, but I think experiencing both is essential. If you want to be an artist that shows in galleries, then organize, or at least be part of the organization of getting the show together. Having to go through the pains of all the small things that occur in the show process will help you appreciate the work that gallery owners have to go through on a day to day basis, and will make it easier to deal with owners/ curators in the future. The other thing is, get you name out! I hear this from every artist I talk to, but it is true; no one is going to randomly walk into your studio one day and offer you a show. You have to let people know who you are. Find every avenue that your work can be shown and pursue it. Find online art communities to receive criticism from, and update consistently. At the moment I am in the process of getting my site organized so that everything is in one place; portfolio, gallery, blog and contact info. The less clicks a person has to do to see your work/ products, the more likely they are to actually check it out.
With illustration work there is a whole world of issues you have to deal with, and I think I have run into almost every one of them. The main things I have come to realize are; 1/ Make your pricing and working conditions clear to the client before you begin so there are no confused/angry emails down the road. 2/ If you aren't happy with the work, why would a client? Put in enough of an effort that you would be happy promoting the work in your own portfolio. 3/ Don't be afraid to turn down work. If you don't think you can accomplish what the client is asking for, don't give the impression that you can. It will only end in both parties being frustrated. 4/ Be organized! This is my biggest problem, but actually having timelines and deadlines are essential to getting work done and being able to take on new work!
Born and raised in Hamilton, ON., Bryce has developed an artistic approach that balances between graphic, painterly and figurative. Texture and type are common in his work, as are a wide range of characters - both real and imagined. Having graduated from the Sheridan College Illustration Program, Bryce is now working on a number of gallery showings as well as freelance illustration. (photo by: jeff tessier)
