Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Baylee Bennett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Baylee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Fortunately, I knew I wanted to create art since I was a young kid. In high school, I was able to take somewhere near 12 art classes before I graduated. My teachers in high school introduced me to a lot of mediums and led me to many opportunities that got me to be around a lot of different art and artists and ways of being in ‘the art world’. I ended up going to Creighton University in Omaha, NE to study studio art and art history. Although Creighton may not be known for its art department, the faculty there is incredible and the studio classes allowed me to focus on my painting and drawing skills as well as ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking. I have also taken figure painting workshops as well as other painting and drawing opportunities in the Omaha community.
Knowing what I know now, there were organizations, jobs, and other things that did not really benefit me or my painting practice. Could I go back, I would have said no to more things, so I could say yes to what I really wanted to do – paint.
As a painter, learning how to draw really really well was and has been the most essential skill in my practice. Without drawing, I think there is something lost in the paintings we make, and I think you can break the rules more skillfully and easily when you know them really well.
The only thing that has stood in the way of me learning more is myself. I tend to procrastinate or busy myself with other things that may be important or good, but at the end of the day, they take away the time I have to paint and create. Signing up for in person workshops, drawing sessions, and classes has been the easiest way for me to make myself learn more as well as being in community! Being surrounded by others that value the arts and creativity is also another way to push myself to learn more; staying isolated as an artist can keep up from learning what else there is out there.
Baylee, 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?
My name is Baylee Bennett, I am an oil painter living in Omaha, NE currently. I graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art degree in studio art and art history back in 2023. As well as being a painter, I also work at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, NE. Working at a museum has given me opportunities to teach classes, lead tours around the building, and it has let me surround myself with plenty of great art! In my painting practice, I focus on mundane moments, scenes, and objects from my life; I also find myself painting landscapes and cityscapes outside. Working in primarily oil paint, I try to manipulate the medium to create different effects with color and mood by using thin layers of paint to create transparent layers mixed with opaque layers. I have noticed that by painting these interior spaces and objects in my life, it is causing me to look differently upon the space I take up and the material items I have brought in. My paintings end up being a reflection of what I am consuming and what these items mean to me. I’m currently applying for shows and residencies in the Midwest to continue to focus on my painting practice!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Allowing space and time for experiencing art. Sometimes I think we get so focused on figuring things out, solving a painting/creative/performance/etc. instead of just spending time with something and experiencing it. In order to experience art I think we need to support and go to artists districts, shows, musical performances, workshops, dances, anything that would boost creative morale – do it!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I love painting. I love being in a studio. I love talking about art. I love learning about art history and artists that have come before me. My love for creativity keeps me going. I don’t have a particular goal or end destination in mind, but I am always looking out for more things to do and paint. In the future, I hope to teach art more and show others that they can also create fun and beautiful things while not being so worried about creating something “good”. Residencies and fellowships are something that I hope to participate in as well; any excuse to have more time to create and paint. At this point, I have to paint otherwise I think I’ll go crazy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bayleebennett.com
- Instagram: bayleebennettart
