We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Briana Benson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Briana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
My first paying client came from San Francisco in 2018. The painting I had created was of a young Elton John on a 36×36 in Canvas. At the time I had been painting on my off time for fun not intending to sell my work. I had posted the new painting on Instagram and shortly after it was finished someone noticed it and reached out to purchase. I was excited yet suprised someone would want something I had created. The painting sold for $750.
Briana, 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?
In 2009 I moved to San Francisco from Fresno, Ca to pursue my career in hair. I worked full time as a hairstylist for years before dabbling in painting. When I’d end my long day at the hair salon I’d rush home and spend my nights painting portraits of women I was inspired by. The music and fashion industry played a big role in what I loved to create on the canvas.
In 2010 my big brother committed suicide, he was one of my biggest fans of my art. He told me to never stop painting. Years after I made a promise to myself to never stop creating. That tragic event sparked something in me and I got to work. A lot of the paintings I had created early on were self portraits of women crying. I was able to let my emotions come through on canvas.
The more I was painting the more I started posting on social media. My work started to grab the attention of a wide variety of people. I remember the moment I sold my first painting I was ecstatic. It was however difficult because pricing it was like pricing a piece of my soul. It gives me joy knowing that my art inspires other people.
Obstacles Ive had to overcome are pricing my paintings, and working with a client on a commissioned piece. Over the years I’ve been able to navigate on how to do these things better by reading articles online from other artists who have had to jump those business hurdles.
Everyday I live my life in color and that fuels the fire in me to continue to create. The way that I see it I can’t imagine a life without painting, because without it I wouldn’t understand who I am. Art helps me to stay inspired, reflect on my past, and brings me joy.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Having encountered tragic events throughout my childhood I’ve been able to persevere. Painting has been the escape I’ve needed from the reality of the world around us. Escaping in art is something important I learned in my journey. Taking time to be with myself.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Self doubt has been something I’ve struggled with. The fear that my art is not good enough. Comparing my style to another artist and that I will never be good enough to those that I look up to.
With time I’ve been able to practice awareness, reframe my negative thoughts, & use these doubts as fuel to elevate my craft. I am my own worst enemy when I pick up the paintbrush and I am the only thing standing in the way of what I am creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: briebenson.com
- Instagram: @brieplease