Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Sermons.
Hi Brittney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first memory of doing art was as a child, I did a drawing of SpongeBob while at church. I was around four or five years old.
In those days my mom and I would be in church so much that sometimes the only thing I could do to keep myself entertained was to doodle on things. When my mom noticed me drawing SpongeBob from memory she went out and bought me a sketch pad with colored pencils and markers. Ever since then I’ve loved drawing and even got in trouble from drawing too much in class.
In elementary, I used to draw the little box cars that all the kids draw, and make spinners or bey blades with cool designs on them.
It wasn’t until the summer before I started middle school that I picked up books on realistic and portrait drawings. My favorite was a book by an artist named JD Hillberry he really went into detail about graphite and charcoal values, and tools that I could use to perfect my drawings. In middle school, I spent time drawing people that I would see on tv and experimenting with facial features. Sometimes classmates would ask me to draw them or something for them and I would. Around that time is when I really became interested in depicting people.
In high school, I worked on drawing people more and I became increasingly good at it. I was enrolled in art every year of my high school career. Sadly, when I look back on that time I think I learned more from YouTube videos and library books than I did while in the classroom. However, I was able to win two competitions during my time there. In fact, my first painting ever was of B.B King it was featured in the Memphis International Airport from 2015 to 2016.
After graduating high school in 2015, I was so unmotivated and really uninspired because I felt that I hadn’t learned much. I didn’t pick up a paintbrush again until December of 2017. In college, I majored in History with a focus on African and African American studies, and I didn’t take any traditional art courses. I did however enroll in two art history courses, one that focused on the history of African American art and the other focused on Ancient African art, both courses were taught by Dr. Ernestine Jenkins.
After, taking the first of those classes I was suddenly inspired to create again, I went out and bought a canvas and painted Biggie Smalls. I was surprised at how well it came out because it was only my second time painting after some time. This was during the time I really began to follow artists like Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald’s career. I wanted to create impactful figurative paintings as well. Around that time, I joined an art fraternity on campus called, “Artistry on Campus”. That summer, we were commissioned to do a mural near campus.
Moreover, everything I know about painting has been self-taught. Today, I’m just starting to oil paint, I am creating a body of work that will include portraits of myself and my family. These works will document reality and also nuances that exist in material possessions and the world around us. I’m really excited about these paintings!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth and it still isn’t the smoothest. I’m working to make my dreams happen though. As I’ve matured as an artist I’ve realized that I want the world to see my work and it takes a lot of time and effort to make that happen. I eventually want to see my work in galleries across the United States and the world!
I’ve had to work hard for whatever accolades or recognition I have now. Doing work as a black female artist in Memphis, TN has been an experience! What I’m most glad grateful for is the growth I’ve been having over the past couple of years. I can look at some of the pieces I’ve completed recently and see the growth from even two years ago.
I’m also thankful for the connections that I’ve made with people who show genuine love and support me. I’ve always been a very supportive person, especially with other creatives so it feels good to get that in return! Social media has allowed me to meet so many good people from all over.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself being best at portraits.
However, I’m very well versed in realism specifically as it relates to people, places, and landscapes. I started oil painting in November of 2021 after years of being afraid and not really being able to afford them. I’ve fallen in love with oil paints but I do use acrylics to accent my work.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Please note, as my talent increases and paintings become better prices are subject to change. However, at this time, these are my current prices. I do have prints of my work available on my website.
Pricing:
- 20×24-$800
- 24×36-$1000
- 30 x40 -$1500
- 36×48 -$2000
- 48×48-$2500
Contact Info:
- Email: iconnnic@outlook.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheIconicArtist
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theiconicartist?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrittneyTheBest
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/theiconicartist
