Today we’d like to introduce you to Brett Whitacre.
Brett, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I moved to the city in 2001 just 11 days before September 11th. I fell in love with the electricity of the city and the urban decay. I was living in the tri-Taylor area in the shadows of Rockwell Gardens housing projects. I walked the alleys, collecting the purge of the city…. then painting on those objects. Items such as analog television screens, hard-shell luggage, doors and windows. It was the smooth glass surface of discarded windows that I gravitated toward. I began doing simple images with spray paint on the windows, luggage, TVs, etc. 17 years later I’m making a living and supporting a family of four selling fine art on glass and painting large-scale murals. There is a big element to this story that helped me transition from a food catering delivery man to an independent artist. I originally came to the city to play drums. I was already an accomplished musician but was determined to be known in a real, competitive market as the drummer to hire. After 3 years of playing with several bands, I was drafted into the Legendary Shack Shakers of Nashville TN. This was a legitimate hard working road band playing 220+ gigs per year. As a budding visual artist, all this travel around The US, Canada, UK, and Europe was very inspiring. Also the fact that I came home from tours with plenty of money to live off of and just dedicate all my time to painting, was the best situation to grow as a visual artist.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I specialize in reverse glass painting and now am moving into painting on front surfaces such as brick, cement, wood, and metal. My imagery always has a retro feel which I attribute to growing up in the 70’s and 80’s and watching loads of TV and movies. Intense colors and color gradients are typical of my aesthetic. There’s always an element of whimsy, as my sense of humor naturally comes through my work. Also forward movement is a theme. As a human, I don’t sooo very long to bathe in a setting, I am constantly propelled to go somewhere or create a new site or happening. Positivity is present almost to a fault. I often glass over serious health situations or dangerous conditions for the sake of progress.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
This is a constant struggle…even when money is there and good, I still consider myself to be struggling. I try not to let financial worry dictate my content. I will opt to paint a more likeable or pleasant piece rather than a nightmarish vision that might make an interesting piece as well. I don’t want to be “stuck” with an original idea for life. I’d rather focus on things that I love and like that has more mass appeal. I do feel I am very good at catering to the interests of the masses without being too cliché or topically trendy.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is seen at fairs and exhibitions, social media, and various gallery showings.
@brettwhitacreart on instagram
@brettwhitacreart on facebook
Contact Info:
- Address: Yellaphone Studio, 403 N. Main street, Sycamore IL 60178
- Website: Www.brettwhitacre.com
- Phone: 7738074233
- Email: brett.whitacre@gmail.com
- Instagram: @brettwhitacreart
- Facebook: @brettwhitacreart
Image Credit:
Benjamin Fairweather (mural with myself in it)
Steve Mabee (drone shot of mural)
All others: Brett Whitacre
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