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

Anthony, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I love to make art. While trying to get work out there can be a stressful and daunting task, the process of creating has always brought me great joy. As for getting a “regular” job I currently make my living as a manager of a local business. After college I put everything I had into getting my work out there. I tried to get some freelance work as well as get my pieces up in as many shows as possible. The problem was that jobs were slow and I still needed to make a living.

I started working side jobs. I even worked one that exclusively graveyard shifts so I could still do art while at my “regular” job. Eventually the stress of trying to make art, work my “regular” job and pay my bills became too much. I had to take up a job as an art teacher at a sip and paint studio, where I currently manage. I was still doing art on the side but it sadly became less of a priority until I abandoned it. My bills were paid, but I started to feel less and less fulfilled.

Over this past year I have been working hard to change that. I built up enough work that I was able to do two solo art shows this past year as well as completing several commissions. I’m still working on finding a balance between my current job, finding joy in my passion and being able to bring it to other people. The main conclusion I came to is I don’t need art to be my sole means of income for it to be important in my life or for me to be able to share it with others.

Anthony, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been drawing my whole life. As a kid I loved Mad magazines, it’s definitely been a big inspiration in my style. I went to an art center high school and followed that with a BFA in illustration/design from the now since closed University of the Arts. Since graduating I have done work illustrating children’s books, Vinyl records, trading card designs and handful of private commissions. I feel that having a background in design and a knowledge of layouts and typography is extremely helpful when working with commissions.

I also have experience working with a variety of clients from larger companies to independent publishers. Recently I have started producing my own card tokens and have a lot of pride in the reception I have gotten from local businesses with it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

At this point in history the major thing society can do to support artist and help make a thriving creative ecosystem is to protest the use of AI art in these fields. While I believe AI has its uses; it’s still a huge threat to artists as it’s aim is to replace them, not to assist. AI in creative fields not only devalues the work of thousands of people it also is taking from their work. So not only is AI taking jobs but it’s also stealing art.

To finish my point I would like to paraphrase the late great Robin Williams – “We create art because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But art, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

2. If I need to give a one it would be this piece of advice, whose origins have been forgotten to me. Great inspiration can come from anywhere and any field. The more you learn about everything the more you can take and adapt to your own art. Don’t limit yourself in life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brigliaart/
• Other: https://linkin.bio/brigliaart/