We were lucky to catch up with Brittany Bolduc recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittany, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
As time goes on I have come to realize that self-discipline really just stems from self love. Knowing that the long term goals and successes are worth sacrificing some short term pleasures and comforts. If I am doing something I am truly aligned with, that lights me up, I find it much easier to stay focused and work hard. I’ve come to this point where its so obvious now when something doesn’t make me happy, or even drains me. These internal nudges can be a beautiful road map to finding more purpose in our lives and work if we allow it. I think originally in my art career, lack was a driving force in my need for self-discipline. Wanting to create more for myself. A better life. Less scarcity. These challenges really fueled me to do and be more. As I’ve transitioned out of that survival space so have my motives for the work I do. Just like anything in life evolves, so does our work and our vision.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Currently I am finishing up a pretty intensive project I committed to. I had this idea to do 32 paintings in the 32 days, leading up to my 32nd birthday. I have always been an artist, but painting was something I had committed to on and off. Some months were very busy with commissions and personal work, others I didn’t produce. I had a passing of an incredibly close person in my life(my Grandmother) earlier this year and found myself straying from my work. I finally felt motivated and dived deep into this challenge! Its been intense, some days I had only an hour or so to paint, but I stayed committed and have completed some of my very favorite pieces during this challenge. I sell my originals on my website www.bbfryart.com and am in the process of getting some samples for higher quality fine art prints for my pieces. I do the occasional market which you can see updates on via my Instagram account. Come October I will be able to take on a few more commissions for the holiday season as well. I usually do a bunch of pet portraits and various people for the holiday season!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Letting go of perfectionism. Letting yourself fail. Being open to community.
I would say letting go of perfectionism was a big one for me, but that really depends on your personality overall. As artists you are putting a piece of you out into the world, whether its a small or large scale audience, it can be very vulnerable. I used to get so stuck on not being able to call a piece completed because technically there was more that could be done to it (not that it needed it). Being ok with imperfections and knowing when its time to move on is very valuable. I notice too really no one else points out those spots that you wanted to nitpick. They may even be peoples favorite parts of the painting. That’s the funny thing about perspective.
Letting yourself fail is key to any success story. There have been so many things I’ve painted, merch drops I’ve done, prints I’ve invested in, that honestly people just didn’t care about. Some things just wont sell, and looking back some things I’ve created just weren’t good, even if I loved them and put so much effort into it. It can be humbling to recognize that you may need to readjust, or try again, maybe market different, whatever it is. Being an artist, or really entrepreneur of any kind, is failing time and time again, and continuing to get up and try. Learning about your craft, but also yourself and how to expand is so important to continue to grow and be abundant.
Being open to community. Ok this one is key if you’re a hermit or introvert. There is so much value in networking, meeting like minded people, and finding customers. Markets have been a great way for me to expand in Savannah, GA. I’ve met other creatives who can give you tips and tricks you didn’t know about, let you know about other events, even share some struggles. Community is key for all humans of course, but if you are sitting in your house creating all day you gotta get yourself out to connect. Sure, there is so much we can do with social media these days, a lot can be done digitally and reach a large audience. But don’t underestimate the human connection part of being an artist, and the inspiration that can come from it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Always! I am very open to collaboration. I would love to do artwork with another artist and mesh styles, see what we can create. I also want to expand upon some projects I’m working on in the background, so I have been looking for a digital artist to create some designs I have in mind. My main one now is finding someone who can help with content creation(videos, reels, photos). I love to paint and share my process online, but it takes so much time and energy to film the process and always be taking photos along the way. I would love to have someone come into my space a few times a month and help produce some really awesome content with me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bbfryart.com
- Instagram: bbfry_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bbfry_
Image Credits
All taken by me!
