Artist Spotlight of the Month: "Brian Luzader"

Welcome to Dot Editions “Artist Spotlight” series, where we’ll be interviewing one artist a month and sharing a little about them with you. The team of artists at DOT Editions have collaborated to bring you a monthly celebration highlighting local artists we’ve had the pleasure of working with through the studio. By these artists sharing a bit about themselves we hope to inspire the artist community to keep pursuing their dreams.

Name: Brian Luzader

Medium: Paintings and Sculptures

Experience: Since 2013

1. Q: Where are you from?

A: I've been a bit of a nomad. I moved around a lot growing up. Spent a lot of my younger years in Macon, Georgia and Jacksonville, Fl with later stops in NYC and Orlando Fl.

2. Q: How did you end up in Asheville,NC?

A: My wife and I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and fell in love with this area. Afterwards, we came here for vacation. Between the art scene and the natural beauty, we knew it was right for us.

3. Q: How many cities have you lived in and how hard or easy was it to get into the local artist community?

A: As a professional artist I’ve lived in 4 major cities. In terms of getting into the art scenes available, I believe that if there is a will there's a way! I have usually found my way in through landing jobs in the arts community and connecting from there.

4. Q: What do you like to listen to when creating? Do you have any suggestions/playlists to share with us?

A: My taste in music is extremely varied. In the studio, I usually listen to electronic music, Lo-fi beats, downbeat, rocksteady, reggae, studio one ska, jazz, soul, funk, blues, folk, indie and electro swing to name a few. I choose the right music for the right mood. It’s all about creating an atmosphere.

5. Q: Do you have any kind of routines that help get your creative juices going and ready to create? Please share.

A: I keep paintings around in all different stages. To get the juices flowing I start on something small and insignificant until I feel warmed up enough to dive into something of more importance. I also think warming up physically helps to get the body and mind loose.

6. Q: What’s your best advice on how to not procrastinate and get rid of creative blocks ?

A: Get some cheap paint and paper, set a short timer for yourself and just start moving paint around. When the timer goes off stop and start the next one, at the end of 30 minutes you’ll have a small body of work & hopefully your creative block has disappeared.

7. Q: What does your creative space currently look like? Show us a photo!

Tell us what you're working on, if you’d like to share.

A: I currently have a home studio in my basement and a studio/gallery space in Riverview Station. Sometimes I create a huge mess which is fun, but I'll stop and reset for a fresh start when needed.

8. Q: What is one thing that most people don't know about you?

A: I like to train Parkour. It’s a fun way to stay in shape by creating challenges for yourself and then overcoming them.

9. Q: What advice can you give to the artists that are just starting their creative careers? What can they do to help get their work out there?

A: Start setting goals and make a vision board. Take small steps to reach these goals and eventually your vision will become reality. I truly believe in the power of visualization (along with some hard work). It can also be helpful to visit studios and galleries in your community to network and get inspiration. But most of all follow your heart and believe in yourself.

10. Q: Did you go to art school or are you self-taught? If you went to school, where? If you didn’t, how did you start and what has helped?

A: I graduated from SCAD with a BFA in Furniture Design & Sculpture. I recently shifted my focus to painting which is mostly self-taught. It has been helpful to experiment with new techniques and ideas and not be afraid to make mistakes.