Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Bryant.
Hi Gina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been drawing people and faces for as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to the human face. I used to draw from my head or a movie as a child and grew to drawing people’s selfie pictures on Facebook. In 2018, I decided to start showing my art on social media. When I started randomly drawing my friends or their children, I started getting requests and commissions to draw families. I started drawing animals when my friend asked me to draw her dogs because they were her children. I told her I would try and with that, I quickly fell in love with drawing animals. Their features gave me the same satisfaction as people. Their noses are my favorite, the bigger the better. I have now been steady with commissions now for three years. During lockdowns, I had lots of time to draw. Now mostly, I draw for families with lost loved ones. I can draw a grandma holding a grandchild they never met or I can draw family pets so they will never be lost.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When I was younger, I wasn’t confident in my drawing so I would be too scared to “ruin” a drawing by experimenting with shadows or dark areas. This held me back from growing. With technology, I can draw on my Ipad using an apple pencil. These devices allow you to erase, undo, use multiple layers. I admit it is now a crutch or some might view it as cheating but my Ipad doesn’t waste paper or require supplies beyond my apple pencil. I can take it anywhere with me and I can easily share my art with the world without shipping costs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in portraits because I can only draw what I see. I am not good at being creative or making things up. I enjoy the simplicity of drawing what I see. I truly enjoy being able to give people something they can treasure forever. In my free time, I have recently gotten into drawing items to reproduce to show at art shows or craft fairs. I draw random animals or things that inspire me to make wall art, postcards or greeting cards.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t worry about what others think. Do you. I am not other artists and they are not me.
Contact Info:
- Email: bryanthasapencil@gmail.com
- Website: bryanthasapencil.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryanthasapencil/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.bryant.3551
