Meet Braden Walls | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Braden Walls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Braden, what do you want your legacy to be?
I really would like people to remember me as someone who never gave up. The main difference between a successful artist and a failed artist is that the successful one kept going—despite all the failures and setbacks. From the outside, it might look cool, but being an artist is very hard. I’ve seen it so many times: someone fails just once or receives some harsh criticism, and they throw in the towel. That’s not me. I’m taking the towel to the grave.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets my work apart from other artists is how I separate the different styles and mediums I use, while still allowing them to live together as a whole to create a narrative. I’ve dubbed my style Neo-Synthetic Cubism, which I’m very proud of—it feels good to finally have a name for it.

Aside from that, the way I got into art isn’t like most artists. Many start very young and usually have support from family and friends to pursue a creative path. Although I was always good at drawing, I didn’t start creating art until I was probably 21, around 2013. I was in college, failing, had no idea what I was doing, and was taking an intro to music class as an extracurricular. The music and fine arts classes were in the same building. One day, I decided to go snooping around the fine arts side and discovered a hallway with a bunch of student still-life drawings along the wall. It was like a huge light bulb went off in my head. That next semester, I enrolled in my first drawing class—and the rest is history.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with all sorts of styles, but one thing that has always intrigued me, ever since I took my first art history class, is Cubism. Eventually, it found its way into my work, and it’s stayed there for the past seven or so years.

My journey to this point has been anything but easy. I’ve faced all kinds of obstacles—from financial insecurity to harsh criticism, to work being taken without pay or returned damaged beyond repair. I’ve been told I won’t “make it” or that this is a bad idea—but I’ve persevered through it all by believing in myself and continuing to push forward. It also means a lot to have people who believe in me. Each one of them is a special kind of bonus beyond the belief I hold in myself. I want the world to know that I live and breathe my work—it’s all I think about. I’m here to make myself known through my art and, most importantly, to inspire… but I’ll probably piss a few people off in the process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I just moved here, so I’m not too familiar with all the hot spots yet. But if my best friend were visiting, I’d start by taking them to the Rubell Museum. I just went there for the first time recently, and it’s one of the best art museums I’ve been to in a while. I’d also take them to Stella Gallerie to see some of my latest work in person. We’d definitely spend a day at the beach, get a little sun poisoning, and then maybe come back to the apartment and cool off at the pool. I’d definitely take them to my favorite sushi spot, Kaeru, which is in Pembroke Pines. I also love going out to get some drinks and party, so we’d probably hit a few clubs in South Beach, pull an all-nighter, and end up at Space.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I never really thought about this until now, but I want to give a shoutout to Joe! He was the assistant drawing professor in my first college drawing class—the one where I first discovered art—and he reassured me that I was on the right path. If it weren’t for him, I might’ve never gone on to the next drawing class!

My mom, dad, and sister have all been very supportive of me being an artist, and so have my beautiful girlfriend Annelize and her amazing family. Without all of them, I 100%, without a doubt, would not be where I am today. I am so very thankful for all of them.

Website: https://bradenwalls.com

Instagram: @b.walls.art