Brianna Noble's work has traditionally focused on their existence in their surroundings, community, and society. Noble's biggest long-term goal in creating is to, "just paint something pretty".
Their work has made a change into focusing on the figure leisurely existing in their environment without outside judgment or opinion. Noble believes it is a step toward simplicity with the intention that it will have no meaning. It can have the space to be just a pretty painting. While it is on its way there, Noble knows that being in a Black, able, and femme body, that that is not always what is perceived. The current work by Brianna is a documented path they are on, away from the weight of society and into the comfort of their own space.
Their work has made a change into focusing on the figure leisurely existing in their environment without outside judgment or opinion. Noble believes it is a step toward simplicity with the intention that it will have no meaning. It can have the space to be just a pretty painting. While it is on its way there, Noble knows that being in a Black, able, and femme body, that that is not always what is perceived. The current work by Brianna is a documented path they are on, away from the weight of society and into the comfort of their own space.
Published on March 14th, 2022. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I am very excited about the clear shift it’s made. It feels calmer and like what I’ve envisioned my art to look like in the future. A common prompt I heard from art instructors was to “create what I will when I’m 40”. Since that time, I’ve had the idea of what that looked like, but I've had other styles, thoughts, words, scenes and more I had to get out first. I had to delve into what 20-something Brianna needed to first. Now, this older Brianna is combining what I have done with what I see myself in the future doing. I guess it’s just the process. I am finally getting to the point where I stop racing an imaginary clock and create at the rate I can manage.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
I don’t think I’m far enough out to notice the changes last year made. I don’t know how the pandemic didn’t affect anyone. I spent 6 months unemployed and that didn’t mean I was able to create every day. I refused to make work that was a side effect of the pandemic or to even make work mentioning it. We are still in it. I sometimes still think it is 2020. The pandemic just solidified for me that time is futile. I can make a plan and have deadlines but I can’t say they’ll happen when I want or need them to. I just have to make it work best for me; that is just for me, definitely not meant to be advice.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
I always revert back to working at night, I will try to work during the day but I end up spending so much time doing almost anything else until the sun sets. I attempt the normal workday thing so I can live like all the business gurus do. Wake up before everyone else, journal, drink a gallon of water, eat 3 perfect meals, work out, and whatnot. That doesn’t work for me. My day looks more like making sure to have nothing taking up brain space or on my to-do list and to have some snacks ready in the kitchen. As for my studio, I need to have about 2-3 drinks on my side table, my ergonomic standing pad, a podcast or long playlist, my paint sweats, and normal painting supplies. I can typically create anywhere with whatever I have, but to get down and dirty in my studio it’s a pretty standard mix of things.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
Instagram? I feel this has been an answer of mine for years. That’s where I find mine. Other than networking with your art community, using Instagram and the internet as a whole is a necessary resource. It truly is. Never before were we allowed such easy access to our idols and where to find their work. Use the internet as a tool to see where they’ve shown, what training they’ve had, what is in their CV that you can find and apply yourself to. Most people tag the places they’ve visited, exhibited, or who they had meetings for business with. It sounds creepy, but it is a very valuable and free tool. This is how I use it, at least.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
Two things: I will be going away for a residency, as well as I plan to have finished my new body of work. Participating in a residency is something I’ve always been interested in but didn’t ever think I’d be able to do. I made a lot of assumptions about not having time or funds so I hardly applied to calls. This past summer I applied to one that seemed manageable for my expectations and life and was delighted to be accepted. I am so ecstatic to try a new path of art-making, especially something I was so unsure of.
What are you currently excited about in your art practice?
I am very excited about the clear shift it’s made. It feels calmer and like what I’ve envisioned my art to look like in the future. A common prompt I heard from art instructors was to “create what I will when I’m 40”. Since that time, I’ve had the idea of what that looked like, but I've had other styles, thoughts, words, scenes and more I had to get out first. I had to delve into what 20-something Brianna needed to first. Now, this older Brianna is combining what I have done with what I see myself in the future doing. I guess it’s just the process. I am finally getting to the point where I stop racing an imaginary clock and create at the rate I can manage.
What were some of the challenges you faced last year as an artist? Was your work/ art practice affected by the pandemic this year, if so how?
I don’t think I’m far enough out to notice the changes last year made. I don’t know how the pandemic didn’t affect anyone. I spent 6 months unemployed and that didn’t mean I was able to create every day. I refused to make work that was a side effect of the pandemic or to even make work mentioning it. We are still in it. I sometimes still think it is 2020. The pandemic just solidified for me that time is futile. I can make a plan and have deadlines but I can’t say they’ll happen when I want or need them to. I just have to make it work best for me; that is just for me, definitely not meant to be advice.
What does a typical day in the studio (or wherever you're making work) look like for you these days? What time of day are you at your studio, what are your studio must haves (ex: music, coffee, tools, etc), and what does your creative space look like?
I always revert back to working at night, I will try to work during the day but I end up spending so much time doing almost anything else until the sun sets. I attempt the normal workday thing so I can live like all the business gurus do. Wake up before everyone else, journal, drink a gallon of water, eat 3 perfect meals, work out, and whatnot. That doesn’t work for me. My day looks more like making sure to have nothing taking up brain space or on my to-do list and to have some snacks ready in the kitchen. As for my studio, I need to have about 2-3 drinks on my side table, my ergonomic standing pad, a podcast or long playlist, my paint sweats, and normal painting supplies. I can typically create anywhere with whatever I have, but to get down and dirty in my studio it’s a pretty standard mix of things.
What resources for artists have you found helpful that may be helpful for other artists?
Instagram? I feel this has been an answer of mine for years. That’s where I find mine. Other than networking with your art community, using Instagram and the internet as a whole is a necessary resource. It truly is. Never before were we allowed such easy access to our idols and where to find their work. Use the internet as a tool to see where they’ve shown, what training they’ve had, what is in their CV that you can find and apply yourself to. Most people tag the places they’ve visited, exhibited, or who they had meetings for business with. It sounds creepy, but it is a very valuable and free tool. This is how I use it, at least.
What in your art career are you looking forward to in the upcoming year? Do you have any specific goals or projects in mind?
Two things: I will be going away for a residency, as well as I plan to have finished my new body of work. Participating in a residency is something I’ve always been interested in but didn’t ever think I’d be able to do. I made a lot of assumptions about not having time or funds so I hardly applied to calls. This past summer I applied to one that seemed manageable for my expectations and life and was delighted to be accepted. I am so ecstatic to try a new path of art-making, especially something I was so unsure of.
Find Brianna Noble on Instagram