We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Sheehan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.

Brian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Risk is something I deliberate with myself on the daily. “Should I take the leap? Should I take it all the way?” We all talk about how one shouldn’t stay comfortable but damn it feels good to know what you’re doing from time to time. A substantial amount of the work comes to crossroad at some point. Often concerning myself with just repeating myself or am I doing something entirely fresh. The risk is ultimately doing something that I feel is complete and proud of. Trying too hard to break new ground is a trap and not always true to one’s convictions.
In the end, I would risk it all creating something I love as opposed to something striving to be different. The risk is choosing to be honest with yourself.

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

Be it either a complex, a calling or flat out escapism, it’s always made sense to lean in the direction of the arts. Not just as a means of expressing myself and communicating, but a constant state of making things, compelled to create. I started playing in bands in my late teens/ early 20’s. With that came the need for flyers, t-shirt design, and album art. Again, with the help of more adept peers, taught myself Photoshop and later additional programs from the suite. Right around this same time I started working for haunts. Both heavily influenced the work.
Everything I do now is attempting to combine (almost) all of my interests into one form. Costume/ prop making, poetic, surreal storytelling, photography, graphic design, performance art, etc.
What draws me to the subject matter? Without recalling the exact first impressions, I’ve always sought this stuff out. Often reference the old black and whites and visually striking horror films. It’s the same song with music. My tastes are always expanding but remain grounded in the darker themes.
I’ve worked both commercially and freelance but have been freelance full time since May of 2022. Primarily, the bulk of commissions are for bands. Album art, t-shirts and everything in between.
Additionally, my focus has shifted to video work these last few years. Along with Nate Cieslak and our conspirators, I co-run The C.O.I.N., an art collective specializing in video production and transformative events.

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

Aside from commissioning projects and artist grants, I think keeping an open mind. Giving the artist the space and tools they need and trusting the rest.

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

The act. Diving in and making the thing(s). It feels absolutely amazing to stare into/ hold a finished piece but the process is the thing I enjoy most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lgrdmn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legerdemain_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LGRDMN
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-thomas-sheehan/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LGRDMN
• Other: https://www.thecoinlives.com/