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

Hi Marc, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

As a kid, I always aspired to be an artist. I had a natural talent for drawing that I continued to develop into my teens. But then came college. And after hearing my umpteenth “starving artist” joke, I decided that art was likely never going to be more than a pipe dream. So after graduating from college, I embarked upon a 30 year career in sales and marketing.

Flash forward to 2020 and the onset of the pandemic. The world was in a state of self-imposed isolation, and like everyone else, I grew anxious and restless. Desperately seeking an outlet, I went online and ordered my first set of drawing pencils in almost 20 years.

That summer, I sold my first drawing to a friend. Encouraged by the response, I started up new Facebook and Instagram pages to give my art some online exposure. I then launched a website – www.brechwald.art. I also participated in art shows at local breweries, which then led to group and eventually solo exhibitions at galleries.

In January of 2021, I took a leap of faith and quit my job at the University of Tampa to pursue art full time. And last year, I moved into my first art studio at the historic Kress building in Ybor City.

I guess you could say that I’ve had an artistic reawakening. And I am keenly aware of how fortunate I am to be able to make a living as an artist, the realization of a lifelong dream.

These past few years have been nerve wracking, stimulating, frustrating, and exhilarating. But most of all, they’ve been really, really fun.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Some artists reject labeling their art, which is understandable, as we all hope to continue evolving and growing artistically. But at the end of the day, I think of myself a photorealistic pencil artist. And with a few exceptions, I tend to focus on figurative art, primarily drawing people.

I don’t paint. I never learned, I have no training, and so I’m what’s known as “self taught.” But when people see my artwork online for the first time, they often have to study them closely to discern whether they’re a drawing or an actual photograph.

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

I think all visual artists have an intrinsic need to create, to make something out of nothing. Whether that artwork is vivid or monotone, realistic or abstract, provocative or benign is irrelevant. It’s the act of creation itself that satisfies our creative impulses, nourishes our souls.

I take a certain sense of pride and satisfaction that my art has been well-received and that I’ve been able to make a living at this. I’m very fortunate. However, like the majority of artists I know, I would continue to draw and create art even if I couldn’t do it as a profession, even if didn’t sell a single piece.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When I started my creative journey as an artist, I set several goals for myself that I hoped to one day attain. I aspired to show my work in a gallery. I wished to exhibit overseas. I wanted to have a solo exhibition. And I hoped to one day be selected for the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. I’ve always been a big advocate for goalsetting, whether professionally or in my personal life. For me, it helps me stay focused on a daily basis while working towards an aspirational future. And so I’m happy to say that each of those original goals I listed have been achieved, for which I’m very grateful. Now I guess it’s time to set some new goals!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brechwald.art
• Instagram: @brechwald_art
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/marc.brechwald
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-brechwald-67162624
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@marcbrechwaldart2668

Image Credits
No credits, photo taken by me