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

Alright, Brando thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always known I wanted to achieve a living by being creative. When I was six years old I wrote “I want to be an artist” when asked what career I wanted to pursue. When I was twelve, I was convinced that I wanted to be a graphic artist making the designs for skateboards and snowboards used by the professionals whom I idolized. I have switched careers many times, from being a designer to a professional rock climber, to video production. I had no idea that limitations do not exist in our world. Watching the world adapt to YouTubers and famous content creators has opened up new paths for creatives, not only as artists, but as educators and community leaders. I have a fundamental desire to create, but I also love to teach and mentor. I am seeking that connection constantly in my work. The ability to teach others and share my story as well as listen. The path I seek is still unfolding as I explore new avenues of the creative process.

Two years ago I began life drawing, and now I am a life-drawing coordinator for groups based in both Virginia and DC.

I am one of the organizers for Creatives Club D.C.

I host art nights at my home and encourage others to explore new materials and mediums.

I am creating a deck of educational flash cards for art terminology.

I am making a series of mini documentaries that focus on artists in my circles to tell their stories.

The path of the creative is never complete. I am always learning new skills, pushing my limitations. My work is personal at the moment, but I am hoping to accomplish more art collaboratively in the future. I am a professional photographer in the DMV area and have a strong sense of community with the events and programming that I have been able to become a part of. I am so glad I began taking art more seriously these past two years with a particular focus on traditional drawing. I have no clue what the future holds for me, but as a 33 year old artist, I am so glad that the excitement of creating has yet to wear off and that there are an abundance of mediums and materials to explore with as I head into the next adventure. Sculpture has started to catch my eye and I think I have a bit of a knack for it!

Brando, 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 Brando and I am an artist living in Arlington, VA. I have explored many types of art ranging from traditional painting, drawing, and sculpting, to glass work, documentary, and graphic design. Currently I am working as a contractor doing projects as a photographer, videography, and art director. I work with teams of creatives, coming up with solutions for firms that need content for their website, social channels, or event coverage.

In my free time, people know me as a community organizer. I help out with running the Creatives Club in DC, I am the life drawing coordinator for both Del Ray Artisans and Fantom Comics. I love to participate in any art events in and around the city and am currently showing my work at Artomatic which has been an incredible way to meet other artists, see amazing artwork, and to share my own work in a capacity that feels very enriching for myself.

My most proud accomplishment to date has been helping the team at Istrico Productions produce a short fundraiser video that raised over $100,000 for the Center for Alexandria’s Children. The organization is dear to my heart since I have a history of being abuse as a child. During this project I was able to interview police officers, attorneys, and the parents of abuse victims to tell their story and to help shed light on how important the CAC is to the children and their families.

My mission is to tell more stories and to use art as a way to raise awareness, express emotion, and to educate others. I could not imagine my life without the ability to create. I have such an amazing community of artists who teach me about important issues. Supporting local artists is such a huge part of who I am today, hearing what is going on in the community I live in.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are two major rewards of being an artist. The first is expressing myself. I often am not as in touch with my emotions while in relationship with others. I am constantly working on learning how to gain insights into my emotional journey, but one way that is surefire to accessing my internal landscape is through creative acts. My emotions are given the freedom to act out, digest, grapple with the insecurity and vulnerability that somehow being around others feels imprisoning. I am not escaping or deflecting, I am being whole and present with everything that is coming up when I have unfettered access to art supplies/materials.

The second is a ripple effect. After creating art, especially with a collaborator such as a business, model, or artist. I have the added benefit of seeing their reaction! I get to witness a second wave of gratitude once the project is done and the final product is a proud moment for both of us. The ripple effect can continue on as the audience embraces the message and the feeling builds on itself. My proudest moments are when the messaging is clear. The audience totally gets it and I can feel that warmth and joy spread throughout my heart!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

The creative journey for me is something even some creatives have trouble understanding. My personal work often takes years to develop. Even after working for multiple years on some projects, I still don’t understand the work itself. It truly is an adventure. I feel like Alice being lead deeper into the rabbit hole every time I begin an artwork. Some work is abandoned for long stretches of time, until the perfect spark brings new vision and excitement to a piece, while others are worked on obsessively over the course of years. I would say one of the shorter term projects I have been working on is my Art Flashcards that I started over two years ago. They are a passion project of mine and I am constantly working on them to try to create an educational tool that is both simple and captivating at the same time. There is an illusion that simplicity is easy, when in fact, it is one of the most difficult things to pull of well. I aim to blend user experience and deep messaging that makes people think through seamless design and low barrier to entry, much like the Vitruvian man by Leonardo DaVinci.

Contact Info:

• Website: BrandoGould.com
• Instagram: @brando.gould
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1QD0n2Dh01Xja5S821pqg

Image Credits
Brando Gould, Elliot Gould