Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jesus Briceno Reyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jesus, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

I was fortunate enough to work as an artist assistant for British artist Ben Johnson, where I learned the importance of dedication and professionalism in the art world. Ben’s passion for his craft was evident in everything he did, from his consistent work ethic to his professional studio set-up. He taught me that by leading by example, I could nurture my own works of art and build healthy relationships with people in the industry.

As a business owner, I’ve applied Ben’s lessons to my own work by striving to be just as dedicated and professional as he was. I make sure to always put my best foot forward and to treat every project with the same level of care and attention to detail that Ben did. By doing so, I’ve been able to build a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy artist, which has helped me to attract new clients and grow my business.

In addition to Ben’s lessons, I’ve also taken to heart the advice of my first student apprenticeship with Asdrubal Colmenzarez. After I forgot to wash the paint brushes one day, he taught me to “learn the good things, not the bad ones” and to gain confidence in myself by stating that I was a natural at drawing. This advice has helped me to focus on the positive aspects of my work and to gain the confidence I need to succeed as a business owner.

Jesus, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an artist-teacher from Caracas, Venezuela, and I’ve been creating artworks, murals, and conducting art lessons around the world for the past few years. My passion for art began at a young age, as I was exposed to art and artist studios since I was a baby. My father was an art dealer and my mother was a flight attendant who also studied fashion designing. They always encouraged me to pursue my dreams of creating art. I hold a Master’s degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, and an MFA from the University of the Arts London. I earned my BFA from the National University of the Arts in Caracas, specializing in painting.

My work explores the intricate connections between art and society, highlighting the relevance of traditional media in contemporary art practice. I’ve showcased my work in numerous galleries and museums across Venezuela, the United Kingdom, and the United States. My work has been recognized by institutions such as the CAF Development Bank of Latin America, the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) in Long Beach, California, and Bloomberg New Contemporaries at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London.

I’m also the founder of Haciendo Ciudad, a non-governmental organization that uses art to revitalize public spaces and promote community engagement. We transform public spaces with communities through art. I recently completed an Artist-in-Residence program at SAC Gallery in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

What sets me apart from others is my dedication to my craft and my passion for teaching. I believe that art has the power to transform lives and communities, and I’m committed to using my skills to make a positive impact in the world. I’m most proud of the work I’ve done with Haciendo Ciudad, which has helped to revitalize public spaces and bring people together through art.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first got into art classes, they were initially devised for my cousin who was on summer holidays and the family saw him as a young talent. However, it wasn’t until the facilitator at the contemporary museum of Caracas told my mom that she saw me more as a creative that I realized my true calling.

My father, an art dealer, was initially hesitant about my career choice and asked me to bring home an engineering bachelor’s degree before pursuing arts. However, I failed the exam to enter science school, and during my sabbatical year, I started going to drawing lessons and artist studios. At that time, I decided to tell my dad that I only wanted to go to Art School, and he agreed. I passed all my exams and got into the best art university in Venezuela.

Despite the initial challenges, I persevered and followed my passion for art.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the habit of saying “yes” to please people. I used to think that saying “yes” would make people like me more and that it was the right thing to do. However, I soon realized that this was not always the case. Saying “yes” to everything can lead to burnout and can take away time from the things that are truly important to us. I learned that it’s important to understand that for every “yes” we give, it takes time away from us, and for every “no,” it’s the time we have to dedicate to the things we wish to pursue. I also learned the importance of ignoring the voices of those we don’t want to follow and sometimes simply saying “no.” Eliud Kipchoge calls this “vitamin N” 1. It’s important to understand that we can’t please everyone, and that’s okay. By learning to say “no” and setting boundaries, we can focus on the things that truly matter to us and live a more fulfilling life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jesusbriceno.co.uk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesusisanartist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesusbricenoreyes/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jes%C3%BAs-brice%C3%B1o-reyes

Image Credits
Jesus Briceno Reyes Studio CAF Exhibition (Wide Angle photo) Photographer Francisco Rizquez Action images by Pang Sakuntala and S.A.C Gallery, Bangkok