BRADEN HOWARD

INTERVIEW:

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Patrick: Who are you and what is your art-style?

 

Braden:  My name is Braden Howard and my art-style is really kind of abstract, and very sort of figurative. I like to apply thick layers of paint and textures.  So pretty much all about texture, shape and form.

 

Patrick: When did you start doing art?

 

Braden: I started doing art in year 11. I originally didn’t even like doing art; I just chose it because it was the only subject that I really had a choice of. As soon as I got into year 12 I just started producing works and just really started enjoying it.

 

Patrick: How did you get involved into the art community?

 

Braden: Probably through school was the biggest thing. It was just a subject I chose and went into it and started enjoying it. I had a couple of little exhibitions back home (Wagga Wagga), and ever since then.

 

Patrick: Have you or do you have any formal arts training?

 

Braden: I’m currently doing my advanced diploma of visual arts. I have previously done a diploma of visual arts, and that was back in Wagga Wagga.

 

Patrick: How important is art to you?

 

Braden: Well, I think art is fairly important to me because I want to make a career out of it, and pretty much want to do whatever I can to make a career out of it. Which it’s not easy, but there are a fair amount of jobs that I could go into that I would really enjoy doing.

 

Patrick: How important do you think art is for society in Melbourne?

 

Braden: Well, Melbourne is pretty much like the art capital of Australia. You have intricate sculptures scattered all over the place, you have graffiti art all over the streets and the amount of art exhibitions and galleries that are in Melbourne is just intense. And I feel that the people respond really well to that.

 

Patrick: How long do you spend on your art each week approximately?

 

Braden: Honestly, not as much as I would like to. I really should be spending more time, but you know, distractions and all that sort of thing get in the way.. and sleep. How many hours? I wouldn’t even know. I just get into a state when I’m doing my artwork, I can’t really count the hours.

 

Patrick: Are your friends and family supportive of your art ventures?

 

Braden: I would say my family are very supportive. My friends are fairly supportive if they can actually get to exhibitions. They all seem to be real supportive of it, my mum has pretty much been the biggest help to me, with her having an art background as well, just her helping me with certain things and supplying me with all her hand-me-down materials and paints. She’s really supportive.

 

Patrick: Do you need a job to help supplement your art?

 

Braden: I definitely would need a job, because currently as a student I’m on welfare payments, and it’s really not enough for an art student. Like if we just even need to buy a tub of paint for a big project we’re doing, that’s just almost like a week’s worth of food gone in one week. It’s really tough.

 

 

 

Patrick: How do you get an audience to your work?

 

Braden: I would say social media is one of the biggest bringers of an audience. Fliers and little postcards, or little calendars would also work too. We have done them a fair bit in the diploma and advanced diploma just trying to get people to certain events and it’s been a pretty big success.

 

Patrick: Do you have any art career aspirations, in maybe the 5 to 10 year range?

 

Braden: Well, I definitely would want to become a professional artist. Maybe travel the world making art in different places. If that’s not going to be an option, I’ve always thought of becoming a curator and organising exhibitions and galleries, collecting artworks and having shows and if all else fails I’ll go into teaching.

 

Patrick: Do you have any advice for new students or other people who want to get into the art scene?

 

Braden: Just do it. Just be creative, don’t think too much about final results and being all refined. Just come up with an idea and go with it and see where it takes you.

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Interviewed and writtten by Patrick Lunney (2016)

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