Navigating the Digital Art Frontier with Bryan Brinkman
In the realm of digital art and the burgeoning NFT landscape, Bryan Brinkman is a name that has been making waves. He's been at the forefront of this transformative and dynamic intersection, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
“I got started in digital art in high school. I was creating short animations for websites like Newgrounds, which was like early flash cartoon stuff but what drew me in was putting a piece of animation or art on the internet, and then getting feedback from strangers. And so that hooked me, got me excited about making more digital art, learning about storytelling.”
After college, Bryan found himself working in various digital art-related fields, honing his skills in everything from editing and sound to web design. He also started participating in gallery shows, showcasing pop culture art. This exposure to the gallery world marked his entry into fine art, and from there, he began to merge his digital art with the traditional art world. This stems across exhibitions like Solo show in NYC at Elsewhere (2023), Art Dubai (2023), Saatchi Gallery (2023), Sothebys Paris (2023), Scope Art Basel (2022). Bryan's journey took a significant turn when he discovered NFTs. Before NFTs, he had struggled to monetize digital art, often converting it into physical goods like screen prints and T-shirts. NFTs opened new possibilities, allowing him to package and sell animations directly. This breakthrough in technology gave artists the ability to sell animation as a form of pure artistic expression.
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“For the first 15 years I was creating art, I was finding ways of making digital art and converting it into physical goods, whether it was screen prints, t-shirts or, 3-dimensional shadow box paintings that I would put in these gallery shows. I didn't fully find a way to monetize digital art until I discovered nfts. Nfts were the first time that I could kind of package and sell animation which prior to that you could only put animations in film festivals or work for companies and execute other people's ideas.”
Bryan's portfolio is a testament to his versatility, featuring a wide range of projects that explore mixed media, 2D and 3D art, and generative art. He uses a consistent color scheme to unify his diverse visual styles. One of his experimental highlights includes creating an on-chain generative video game, reminiscent of Space Invaders, where players achieved impressive scores, some even surpassing the artist himself. Bryan’s unique take on the world has landed him collaborations with Puma, Gemini, and Budweiser x Round 21.
“I try with my art to use a color scheme throughout that allows me to keep changing my visual styles. So I like to play around with mixed media, 2-D, 3-D, and generative. Then I kind of use those colors as the unifier so that it doesn't feel like I'm just changing my mind all the time. That's the fun part of the space, the experimenting.”
Bryan’s captivating approach to his craft involves a deliberate use of a consistent color scheme that serves as the thread binding together a diverse array of visual styles. By seamlessly navigating through mixed media, 2-D, 3-D, and generative techniques, Bryan finds joy in the exploration of creative possibilities within a cohesive palette. This intentional use of color as a unifying element not only showcases versatility but also ensures a harmonious continuum, allowing him to experiment freely without the fear of disjointed inconsistency.
“A lot of my art is art about making art. And so a lot of my pieces reflect on the dynamics of the space, whether it's the positives of the technology or the negatives of the community. I think trying to reflect on those things and kind of see, kind of paint a bigger picture of my feelings. That's what I enjoy about a lot of the art I make, is that it becomes a diary of how I feel about this space.”
In this profound reflection, Bryan unveils a meta-narrative within their creations, crafting a visual dialogue about the act of artistic expression itself. With a focus on both the positive aspects of technology and the challenges within the community, he transforms their pieces into a contemplative exploration of the broader dynamics at play. Each artwork becomes a poignant entry in a personal diary, capturing the nuanced spectrum of emotions experienced within the creative space. By using his art as a reflective tool, Bryan not only encapsulates their own journey but also invites viewers to engage with a visual chronicle that encapsulates the evolving landscape of both the artist and the artistic community as a whole.
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When asked about AI:
“My general attitude on AI is fear. From an art standpoint, I think it's great, it's really cool. And, and in a bigger picture, I worry about people using it for bad. But I do think as a tool for artists, it's a huge help, especially being an animator. There's a lot of tasks you do as an animator, like rotoscoping or keying and AI is just going to exponentially help our workflow go faster and not necessarily devalue it. It just saves us time. And so I think that's going to be a huge step forward. I think in terms of image generation, it's a powerful tool for inspiration. There's a lot of times where you just want to mock up some things or get some ideas and it's just a great way to kickstart ideas. I've always seen it as a tool that I use within a workflow. I'll use AI to kind of supplement it, and then it'll be used alongside plugins and other things, then rendered out at the end but I use AI as a cog in the workflow.”
SELF-ASSEMBLAGE (2023) For Christie’s Auction House
Engaging with the online art community is crucial, and Bryan primarily connects with his audience through platforms like Twitter and Discord. These platforms allow him to discuss his art, share on other artists' work, and interact with the broader digital art community. For a more focused engagement, he uses email blasts to reach those willing to share their email addresses. When asked about advice for aspiring digital artists, Bryan highlights the importance of building relationships within the art community. He advises reaching out to other artists, learning from their experiences, and fostering a supportive network. He recommends dividing one's time evenly between making art, marketing it, and connecting with others, stressing the significance of discussing and sharing one's art.
“One lesson artists should lean on is talking to other artists in the space. If someone reaches out to you with an opportunity, see who else they follow, reach out to those artists, get feedback. There's a lot of great people in the space, and there's a lot of people in the space that are in it to make money. And usually the artists are the people that will protect each other the most in those situations. So, finding a group of artists that you trust is very important when you join the space. I think you can do that from going to real life events and virtual meetups.. but find your group.”
In his view, the art community serves not only as a wellspring of inspiration but also as a reservoir of valuable knowledge. By actively participating in conversations, attending events, and engaging in collaborative endeavors, aspiring digital artists can enrich their own artistic journey while contributing to the collective tapestry of creativity. According to Bryan, the reciprocal exchange of ideas and support within the artistic community is an invaluable resource, fostering a culture where each artist's success becomes a shared celebration, and where the journey is as significant as the destination.
Bryan Brinkman's journey through digital art, NFTs, and the broader online art community showcases the evolving landscape of art in the digital age. His experimentation and willingness to adapt to new technologies makes him a prominent figure in this ever-changing space, and his insights offer guidance and inspiration for emerging artists seeking to make their mark in the art world.
Links:
Linktree: linktr.ee/bryanbrinkman
Twitter: twitter.com/bryanbrinkman
Website: bryanbrinkman.com
