Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Davon Brantley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Davon, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I have never been an individual that has hidden myself or my talents behind safety. It’s more inhibiting keeping yourself in a box and I knew that from a young age. I had always questioned in my youth “What would happen if I did this?” taking things a step in the next level each time I felt like I had mastered a specific skill. The ability to evolve from where I currently was , never scared me. The ability to change my approach to a situation , allowed me to utilize my adaptability. Even if the outcome wasn’t necessarily what I wanted , taking the risk allowed me to try and pivot if necessary. Learning from my mother and how she adapted to her situations after risks , it somehow was something that felt innate in my nature. The first time I noticed this in myself was when I decided to take up gymnastics. Coming in with a lack of knowledge on it in comparison to my peers , this nudged me to challenge myself more. Doing more complex routines , flipping off of objects…trusting myself as an individual. Where even if I hurt myself testing out a new routine , I’d get right back up , figure out where and how I messed up ; Then with a new perspective , apply what I learned and do it a different way that works or is the correct way. From that point on I learned taking risks was important in development and I have used this knowledge in my artistic practice.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Davon Brantley and i’m a Fine Artist ! I am based in Cleveland Ohio, and create monumental work in my home studio. My work primarily utilizes self portraiture and takes inspiration from the dissociative behaviors we exhibit based on certain situations. Through self-portraiture , I take a more auto-biographical approach to art depicting a mental landscape. This mental landscape allows us to see various moods and emotions that are usually seen as taboo to express or talk about in certain groups. Through dramatic lighting and compositions , I allow the audience to peer into my world in a more theatrical setting. Taking from Renaissance and Baroque era portraiture and history paintings , I am able to explore topics of ; emotional regulation , mental health, art history, masculinity, sexuality, death and life. My work is to connect with you on a human level on who we are on the inside , acknowledging the parts of ourselves that we may not be comfortable talking about. The complexities of who we are as individuals and how I mind processes these emotions and events is what interests me the most. Through creating this mythos of an autobiography , I am able to create an intersection through mythological texts, real life experiences and art history.
I also do commission work as well too and have really loved the process of printmaking !
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?
Three things that were the most impactful in my journey was learning my purpose, confidence in who I am as an artist/individual and the final thing being 100 percent ME. These things have helped my career and life so much. These things are the reason that my audience loves who I am as an individual (at least I hope haha) I have always been authentically myself with every person I have worked with, every institution I’ve exhibited in and even just general fans of my work. I think it is important to focus on who you are and to not change how you are just because a person wants you to. My degree of professionalism also helps this A LOT. Which is also a very important aspect to consider when you’re branding yourself. The amount of care and intentionality that I put into my own work and work with others is immense. I want people to feel comfortable investing in my craft so that they have no worries !
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who just appreciates what I do and trust me with whatever vision they have in mind. Someone who is actually communicating and collaborating with me to make sure that we execute the piece to what they trust me to do. Someone who allows me to take that artistic license because they hired me to do the work that they love and not something else or out of that realm. The biggest thing fr me is trust and having someone that will just allow me to be an artist. If you love an artist work and you want to commission something from them , I’m assuming that you would want THEIR work right ? So someone who allows me to shine with no barriers is my ideal client.
Contact Info:
- Website: dbrantleyart.com
- Instagram: Davon.Brantley
- Linkedin: Davon Brantley
Image Credits
MockTuna, Anna Young, and Emily Vigil
