Gary Bernard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gary , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Walking a path to self-discovery for sure, but wandering in the process. For the path, I do have goals and expectations for my future and they are typically clear, but I try to stay open and take the blinders off temporarily to see if there are any new available paths. It’s not always possible or at least easy to pivot if you stay too fixed on the target. Allowing myself to wander from the path every now and then, is important. Mistakes or missteps will always happen, but if I don’t allow myself to see other options to improve, other than my current path, I stagnate.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a UI/UX designer for Vanguard, designing websites and applications for traders and analysts. I’m not sure how it happened, but there was a lingering curiosity that finally found its outlet when starting at Vanguard. Consolidating complex interfaces and working with heavy data to give users clean and elegant websites and applications, quenched that thirst. Painting, creating illustrations and writing stories satisfied one part of my brain with all of their challenges, but designing these complicated applications sparked something new, a new approach to making art. It felt good to problem solve from a different place.
After college and after many years of travel, transitioning from one industry to another, I have always been interested in fine art and illustration. This love of art has never left me. I completed 4 picture books, 3 of which were published and one included in an award winning documentary film, “Amazing Grace:Jeff Buckley.” Editorial illustration, portrait commissions and personal side projects have taken the majority of my free time, after working 9 to 5. Since the end of August, I have begun teaching a Visual Communications course for 3rd and 4th year college students, many of whom are illustration majors. I see this as another test for me to teach what I practice in my art/design while helping prepare the next wave of artists and designers.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was still a child, seeing the world through a child’s eyes, I imagined that many people around me understood me better than I understood myself and could see what I might become. Over time, as good people came and went, I realized that the only real limits were the ones I imposed on myself. Nobody truly had everything figured out, even if they seemed to have more clarity than I did back then.
Today, that idea feels simple and logical to an adult mind. Yet, with countless distractions and endless opinions, about work, abilities, ideas, and lives, it still takes continual effort and honest self‑reflection to recognize who I am. Doubt will always tug at me/us, but I no longer feel compelled to doubt; I can simply be myself.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
No single event defines it; just a series of moments. What really matters is how transformative it is when someone truly listens and you feel heard. Genuine listening is rare, but when it happens it instantly changes the mood, deepens connection, and fuels the drive to pursue any goal. I keep those brief, spontaneous moments close to my heart because they show real interest and care.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I recently talked with a friend about a belief that’s close to my heart: that each of us does the best we can with the resources we have, whether that’s mental, emotional, financial, social, cultural, spiritual, physical, or any other aspect of life.
This isn’t an excuse for any type of bad behavior, but the more I experience life, the stronger I believe this. It’s a gentle reminder to treat ourselves and others with kindness, knowing we’re all doing the best we can under the circumstances we face.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing?
Hopefully nothing, but a present “regret” I have, that I can hopefully change, would be acting on an idea the second I have it. Experience tends to build wisdom, and with wisdom comes analysis and much more self-reflection. As a professional, sometimes, (most times) the gut is correct and if there is too much hesitation during the reflection time, it’s incredibly easy to lose momentum. Fresh ideas need to be acted upon immediately so they can fail or succeed sooner than later.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cargocollective.com/garybernard
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garybernardart
Image Credits
Sweatshirt by: Clownpatch.com
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