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

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

As long as I can remember I’ve relied on creativity and thinking differently as a means to move through the world and communicate how I feel. I’ve had many lightbulb moments but I think the first time I really knew I wanted to pursue a creative path was when I was in my 4th grade of elementary school. Two things stick out from class that year, being told by my teacher that a drawing I made was “a waste of paper” and winning first place in an art competition voted on by my classmates. I was crushed by rejection and then bashfully elated with recognition. That latter was the first time I can remember feeling like I was really good at something meaningful. I cared about the silly little art things I was making more than I probably should have but look where it’s led me. I still care too much!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Brandon Vosika and I’m an artist living in Seattle Washington. My primary medium and what I have dedicated myself to recently is acrylic painting but I also make small sculptural works, print additions, watercolor and pastel illustrations, and have self published over 25 small press art books and zines.

One of my most gratifying and longest continuous running projects is an art focused snail-mail club that I run through Patreon. I’ve been sending out long letters and little art things to fans of my work around the world monthly for over three years. When I was a little boy, my dream job was to become a mailman. I became an artist instead but I guess I’m still fulfilling that dream!

I’ve participated in over 100 group and solo shows with galleries and museums in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Portland and have been featured in print and online publications including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, The Seattle Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, City Arts Magazine, and Relish magazine.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The most meaningful way that society can support artists is to simply put forth more effort and to take their money out of the capitalist system and put it into the hands of small businesses and our local communities. Be discerning with what you consume. Instead of buying mass marketed art prints from Target or Amazon, seek out local painters in your community or online and buy from them. Rather than using Vistaprint to print a giant vinyl banner for a display or photo backdrop, ask a local artist or sign painter to make it for you. Buy art from living artists, attend art openings, and music events in your city or town, visit galleries and museums, and most importantly, meet and communicate with artists and let them know you care. Positive feedback and encouragement is incredibly meaningful for creative individuals who spend their lives trying to make something beautiful. Something as simple as a nice comment, or even a “like” or share on social media can be the difference between an artist giving up or not. Companies like Facebook and Instagram rely on the work of creative individuals to exist and give nothing back. It’s up to everyone to cheer on artists and let them know that what they’re doing matters.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal of my work if to connect with others and communicate my feelings and ideas to whoever is willing to look and listen. I’ve always been very effected by the world around me, I find myself inspired by everything. I stop and smell flowers on the side of the road and smile at every animal I see. I cry when I’m listening to music and recite poetry to the moon. I run my hand over every tree just to see how the bark feels and love like it’s what I was born to do. I take it all in and at a certain point cant help things from coming out. That’s art. I guess my mission as an artist is to find others that feel just like me. My paintings are beacons of heartache and happiness and everything in between, calling for others to connect with.

Contact Info:

• Website: brandonvosika.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/brandonvosika
• Other: linktr.ee/brandonvosika