We were lucky to catch up with Brian Tull recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents taught me that we are all the same humans from the same God, and to love everyone. Whenever I would tell them what I wanted to do when I grow up, they would consistently say, “If that’s what you want, and it makes you happy, do it”. My parents always had time for me.

Brian, 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?

I’d been drawing since the third grade…my first go-round in third grade, that is. I learned my lesson the second time, Later, while studying graphic design at The University Of North Alabama, Florence, AL, I took a painting class. I’d never shown much interest or been interested in painting before. We had to emulate certain genres of painting; abstract expressionism, german expressionism, impressionism, photorealism. I was always a realist in my drawings, but had never painted. I painted a ’50’s car with shiny, chrome reflections. I knew when it was complete, I wanted to paint more, lots more. I painted in the early 2000’s just for fun at night after my full-time graphic design job. I was doing freelance graphic design on the side, as well, for a local art gallery, GalleryOne. I told the owner of the gallery that I also paint. She said bring one in. I brought a painting to her and she sold it. Over a few months, maybe even a year or so, she said, “If you will quit goofing around with graphics, I can sell lots of paintings for you”. I quit my job, and thanks to lots of blessings and answered prayers, I’ve been a full-time artist since 2007. My photorealism paintings are represented with at Quidley & Company Fine Art (www.quidleyandco.com), and Tinney Contemporary (www.tinneycontemporary.com). I also accept custom commission painting orders, and really enjoy doing those, as they are usually symbolic, specific, and meaningful to each individual collector. I completed my first large-scale mural in 2009. Until about 2018, murals were a bit scattered. I might get one every other year or every three years. This year I’ve been traveling around the southeast only doing murals. I enjoy them greatly. My favorite part of murals is being able to share them with the public. You can reach out to me at [email protected] or 615-945-5807, and visit my website, www.briantull.com for more of my work or to request a commission.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve pushed my painting technique so much further than when I first started. It takes me up to a year to complete one photorealism painting, sometimes a bit less, sometimes a bit more. I’ve gotten so technical with them. Throughout the painting process, I’ll occasionally question if it’s worth it. It’s definitely worth it. I do these paintings, these murals, and it’s exhausting physically and mentally. I’m constantly thinking about when will this or that painting sell, when will I get another call for a commission, when will I get another mural. There’s always that call from the gallery saying they sold a painting, or someone wanting a mural. It will always work out. When you’re exhausted and questioning some things on a piece, there’s always at least one person who will walk by and say, “that looks amazing.” I think if one, single person gets inspired by what I do (or you do), that’s enough. That’s where I get my resilience from; to have the faith that it will all work out, and that it’s enough for one, single person to be inspired and to pass on a good word or work.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I would have known about all the grants and other organizations available for creatives earlier in my career. There are some great organizations out there that offer opportunities for creatives. On an international level www.creative-capital.org and www.callforentry.org are fantastic. On a local/regional level specific to Tennessee and the Southeast www.tnartscommission.org and www.southarts.org offer wonderful opportunities for artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.briantull.com
• Instagram: @artistbriantull
• Facebook: @artistbriantull
• Twitter: @artistbriantull

Image Credits
Andrew Wardlow and Brian Tull