We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brian Dickson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brian , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I knew that I wanted to be a professional artist since 4 years old. My first canvas was my grandmothers bathroom walls. Art has always been a way for me to speak without using words. I am free when I create, and art has strengthened my problem solving skills, self-awareness, and fuel my passion to increase representation of the Black experience. I grew up in a Historically Black neighborhood in Fort Worth called Stop 6. I am a product of FWISD, and I didn’t learn about Black artist until High School. I grew longing to see artists that looked like me, and paintings that featured skin the same color as mine. I used to watch a Black sitcom called “Good Times” it aired in the 70s and one of the main characters was a teenage artist named JJ. JJ painted amazing paintings in the show that caught my eye. He painted scenes of Black people dancing and congregating. The pieces were dramatic and vivid. JJ was only an actor, the real painter was Ernie Barnes (I found that out later on in life). Moving forward for the longest JJ was my the only depiction of Black artistry that I had, and I made a vow to become the representation my community lacked.

Brian , 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 am an art educator and professional artist. I currently work at an art gallery called Kinfolk House. Kinfolk House is a collaborative project space where the community and art converge. I enjoy working in a space that makes art more accessible to communities of color. I am passionate about teaching about Black History and art. As an aspiring professional artist, I strive to make work that reveals the beauty and truth of my Black experience. My work reveals the spiritual warfare Black Americans endure after rejecting indoctrination and fear. I create mixed-media portraits that portray figures in surreal environments. I use the contrast of vivid colors and dark themes to invite viewers to engage with controversial subject matter that they would regularly avoid. I often paint myself, my family, and my friends to share my connection to the fight to remain whole amid systemic oppression. My paintings permit Black people to leave the shackles of fear and live boldly despite our dark past and uncertain future.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As an aspiring artist in Texas, I wish I knew about Glasstire early on. Glasstire is an online magazine that keeps readers informed on important art events, and opportunities happening in Texas. It is a great resource to help artists get connect with the art world and stay up to date on current events.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal now is to create work that I enjoy. I used to create things with an intention to get a reaction out of people, I wanted everyone to like my work. That is an unhealthy way to create. I strive to be authentic, and to create from a pure space. If I don’t like my work or feel connected to it, it will not speak to people. As an artist I think it is important to fall in love with what you are creating, that has to be the goal first, impacting viewers will happen naturally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian.k.dickson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.g.dickson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-d-5388a5114/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/briankdickson

Image Credits
Brian Dickson Jr.