Meet the Artist:
Interview with Bhare
Bhare is a first-generation Barbadian American abstract artist. He possesses a multidisciplinary approach, but his primary focus lies in working with acrylic and oil pastels on canvas.
Where are you in your creative journey? How did you get there?
Currently I am a full time artist, working on gallery exhibitions some being IRL with other being digital exhibitions. My focus this year has been strictly on paintings and going larger in scale and more intricate with my techniques. It almost being a full year since my jump into pursuing art solely, I got here over the course of about 4 years. I started with creating works for myself in my college dorm room, then moving into learning to make prints and no selling a single one haha. From there I tapped into creating an online presence and finding friends in other artists trying to do anything and everything creative. As I got more involved in the online art community and becoming more consistent and comfortable with sharing my work, I started getting invited to small exhibitions online. From there the word spread to other curators looking to showcase artists in the online space. With the help of friends I was also able to sell my work as NFTs and find collectors in that space alongside the traditional route. Having a blessing of a 3rd and 4th quarter of 2022 allowed me the reassurance that I can really put all my time and energy into creating the art career I desired for so many years.
Who are your biggest influences, and what about them inspires you?
I've been influenced alot by my friends Dimithry Victor, Moonsun, Kei, Sammy, Izz Akkosia, FaithLove, and so many more. All that I listed are black artists really all pursuing art in different ways that suits the type of career that they want to have. They are inspiring to me solely based off of the fact that they don't pull their punches. They know exactly would they want to be and don't allow themselves to bend to the traditional rules of the art world. They carve a path for themselves and makes 200% use out of the resources provided to them to tell the stories that they love to tell. Being able to have close conversation with them and have a journey alongside them has been more inspiring to me then a stranger that I won't have as good of a chance to meet. Outside of them I find influences for the lore of anime that I like to watch, making small nodes in my pieces. Technical influences on more abstract /contemporary paintings would be Hyangmok, Danny Fox and Jack Kabangu.
What is your dream project? When do you see yourself completing it?
Right now a dream project would to be to work with interior designers to furnish luxury home with my art. Whether that be in the form of a painting or even a piece of furniture. I have so much love for homes and the way that a beautiful home can make you feel. It being one of those things that my family still doesn't have the privilege of owning, it would be a full circle moment for me. I definitely plan on owning my home, being able to test of how art in certain places can really affect the overall dynamic of the home. Stuff like this really gets me excited to be creative and explore all it has to offer. I can see myself working in this space within the next 3-4 years personally, I'm really confident in what I can deliver and the stories that I want to tell.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
I overcome blocks by simply doing nothing creative. Sometimes I find myself so deeply invested in what to do creatively that everything ends out coming out in poor quality. I've always done my best when I allow myself to let everything come naturally. Though when those "natural creative" thoughts come at a slow burn, it can be a bit defeating if I'm not in the right headspace. I like to take time away from the studio to try new foods (I spent 8 years of my life in Culinary Arts and the Restaurant business), caught up on my backlog of games or just get everyday tasks out of the way. As much as I want being creative to be my whole entire world, I'm simply not processed to be in that state of mind 24/7. Rather than work myself to the point of exhaustion (common to the Food industry) I work towards a comfortable spot or a bit over it so that I don't end up feeling creatively drained after every single piece. The most simple of practices really helps me through those times of creative blocks.
What exciting endeavors lie ahead for you? What can our community anticipate from your future ventures, and how can they support?
More and more exhibitions lie in the future for me! I've really made it a point to being apart of shows that I really believe in with artists that I know are putting their best foot forward. You can anticipate larger scale works and even larger venues. Possible residencies and shows that have the creative freedom to allows for dope interactions between patrons, guests, collectors and artists. I'm manifesting so much good energy into those. Other smaller projects are in the mix too to really help build my portfolio of work. Support is welcomed on engaging with me on my socials (that's where I share most of my work) and monterey support to help push for more projects in and outside my local area!
Artist Contact Info:
Website: https://www.bhare.art/portfolio
Email: bharestudio@outlook.com
Instagram: @bharestudio
All images are property of Bhare