We recently connected with Bradford Hermann and have shared our conversation below.
Bradford, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
In 1998, I was granted the incredible opportunity to embark on a journey to Kenya, Africa—an experience that profoundly reshaped my perspective. The immersion into the natural habitat of awe-inspiring creatures was a surreal and overpowering encounter. During this trip, I found myself capturing the essence of the flora and fauna through the lens of a 35mm camera, amassing a collection of nearly a thousand photographs. Upon my return, I eagerly processed the film, and a childlike compulsion seized me to replicate an image I had taken—a sprawling acacia tree, its crown gracefully shaped by the delicate nibbling of giraffes. Armed with rudimentary paints and brushes, I unearthed forgotten foam-board from my days at a Charleston, SC law firm, and thus began painting. As each brushstroke danced upon the board, a newfound joy welled within me, and my creation exceeded my expectations. I shared my artwork with colleagues at the firm; the receptionist, captivated, expressed a desire to purchase it. It was a revelation: the convergence of passion and commerce. The notion that I could convert my adoration into a livelihood—this was the elusive treasure people yearn to discover. The turning point arrived when another individual commissioned me to do a painting of their new house, based on a photograph. From that juncture onward, the path ahead became unequivocally clear, and thus beginning an uncharted voyage of ceaseless creation.
Bradford, 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?
As mentioned earlier, I began my painting journey in 1998 at the age of 24, teaching myself the craft with only a foundation in art history. The sensation of selling my first-ever artwork was incomparable. Shortly after, I received a commission offer that directed me toward the path I had been seeking. In addition to painting, my artistic inclinations gradually shifted toward transforming discovered items into masks and sculptures. I am commonly referred to as a recycle artist due to a significant portion of my art encompassing discarded and found objects, serving as both a mental playground and a modest contribution to environmental preservation.
My inspirations as a creative mind and artist culminated from being raised on a 50 acre horse farm, by two University of Georgia professors of biology and entomology, and extensive world travels. My love for all animals, down to the tinniest insects, is reflected throughout my art. I have a deep passion for the balance of all life. I create every day, whether it is through drawing, painting, sculpting, etc. My art is in private and corporate collections around the World. I have been featured in a mass of publications from novels to newspapers as well as Television, music video, radio, and numerous online platforms. I have created a YouTube channel where I show the process of some of my work. It has been quite a challenge, not just creating the art but learning video, audio, lighting, footage, and then teaching myself to edit as well. All of these things in themselves are art and I have a better understanding and newfound respect of the work and dedication involved for all creators following this path.
A few years ago, I designed an environmental sculpture for my YouTube channel. This sculpture featured (5) two-foot coconut-ants carrying a 10-foot segment of 8-inch diameter PVC pipe painted to resemble a McDonald’s straw. The Sidney, Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers, Florida included this creation in their permanent collection. This sculpture inspired the Art Center’s CEO to conceive an exterior installation for the building. The concept involved my crafting enough ants to give the appearance of an infestation, although my vision was of a community working together as a team, drawing attention to a solo exhibition and the Art Center itself. I enthusiastically accepted this challenge, allowing the inspirational vision to overshadow any apprehensions or challenges tied to my most ambitious installation to date. My show “Antibodies” was in February, 2023, comprised of 160 pieces, which gained International recognition and sold over 100 pieces.
Since, I’ve taken a hiatus from recycling projects to concentrate on translating a large number of drawings into a substantial series of surreal paintings. Over my 25-year career, I’ve learned that I can undertake anything, irrespective of scale, as envisioned by clients or myself. Regardless of present projects, I am always willing to accept a new challenge with open arms.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Being creative is deeply therapeutic and will hopefully one day allow me to sustain a comfortable life solely from my artistic vision and creations.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Seeing a beautiful finished product from a mental seed.
Contact Info:
- Website: Artsofpalm.com
- Youtube: Bradford Hermann
Image Credits
Gayle Gurchiek and Bradford Hermann