We recently connected with Josh Bradley and have shared our conversation below.
Josh, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep creativity alive, I maintain a child-like imagination when generating new ideas and creating art. Children, when drawing, don’t worry about technicalities like light sources or perfect placement of objects; their minds freely wander as their crayons do the thinking. Embracing this perspective lets me breathe deeply and enjoy the fun of the creative process.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a contemporary artist, proficient in painting, drawing, and with plans to venture into sculpting in the future. Currently, my biggest excitement lies in the upcoming showcase of my new body of work. My passion has revolved around depicting butterflies and caterpillars in my art, as I see them as symbolic representations of life’s cycles, encompassing both misfortune and blissfulness.
One of my favorite poems beautifully illustrates the correlation between a butterfly’s life and our own daily existence. It reads, “One thing the caterpillar notices is how the world shuns him but praises the butterfly. The butterfly represents the talent, thoughtfulness, and beauty within the caterpillar.” This resonates deeply with me as it mirrors our continuous evolution as individuals striving to become better versions of ourselves each day.
As I prepare to exhibit these pieces, I hope they connect with the viewers just as they do with me, encouraging reflection on the transformative nature of life and the inherent beauty within each one of us.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most crucial skills that have contributed to my career success are persistence, open-mindedness, and not taking everything too seriously.
In my opinion, persistence is the most vital skill to cultivate, regardless of the career path pursued. It is not difficult to develop this skill if one is genuinely passionate about their pursuits. Passion naturally drives individuals to practice their craft consistently and seek more knowledge.
On the other hand, fostering an open mind can be challenging, and I am still working on enhancing this skill. Embracing an open mind opens doors to new possibilities and opportunities. To learn open-mindedness, one must avoid shutting doors on opportunities that lie outside their comfort zone. For instance, when I received my first mural opportunity, I was initially hesitant due to its large scale, but I decided to embrace the challenge.
By honing these skills—persistence, open-mindedness, and a lighthearted approach to life—one can navigate their career with greater success and fulfillment.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My wife has been my greatest inspiration and support in my artistic journey. She was the one who encouraged me to draw again, placing the pencil in my hand. Throughout the years, she has been there every step of the way, offering constructive criticism, unwavering encouragement, and helping me establish a consistent self-discipline routine.
Her belief in my potential and her honesty in assessing my work have been invaluable to my growth as an artist. I am grateful for her constant pride in my accomplishments, always bragging about me to others. Moreover, she has never dismissed or shot down any of my ideas, no matter how ambitious they might be.
Every time I have a gig or showcase, she is there, front and center, cheering me on and showing her unwavering support. I cannot thank her enough for being my biggest advocate and for continuously believing in my artistic future. Her love and encouragement have truly been the driving force behind my creative pursuits.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bradleystudios.art
- Instagram: joshbradleyart
Image Credits
Darline Rodriguez Andrea Tobar
