Conversations with Broderick Bebout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Broderick Bebout

Hi Broderick , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t always pursue art—growing up, I enjoyed it but treated it more like a hobby rather than something serious. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that everything changed for me. With work sending me home and the isolation settling in, I found myself struggling mentally. At that point, I turned to drawing as a way to cope with the solitude and to soothe my mind. I started drawing with whatever I had handy —old paper drop cloths were my canvas, I’d use charcoal and sidewalk chalk—just about anything I could find to channel my creative energy. At my day job, I was interacting with lots of people and wearing many different hats, in doing so I was able to fulfill my creative needs that way. But once the in person was taken away, it felt difficult to stay balanced.

After a few weeks of drawing, my younger son suggested I try streaming my art online. I had no idea how to do that, but he taught me, and that led me to create a TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook page. Eventually, I opened an Etsy shop to sell my art, starting small and experimenting with different things and it just kind of spun out of control!

The company I worked for decided to stay fully virtual, and after struggling to adapt to the new remote setup, we agreed to part ways. At first, I thought I’d return to a more traditional corporate job, but my wife encouraged me to pursue the path of art full time and see where it might lead. So, I started participating in art fairs and shows, posted more frequently online, and opened up my own little business.

It has been a wild ride with many unknowns since I had never done anything like this before, but it’s also been incredibly exciting and rewarding. Along the way, I’ve learned so much and have seen steady growth in my business. I’m still figuring things out, but it feels great to be on this journey!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road—there have been many bumps along the way. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything because, honestly, it’s been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Aside from my family, this has brought me more joy and growth than I could have imagined. I’ve learned so much about myself and have connected with an entirely new community of people I never knew existed. Now, I feel truly a part of something bigger.

That being said, the financial aspect has been the biggest challenge. I’m in the second half of my life with a mortgage, car payments, kids in college, and a strong sense of responsibility to my family and community. Being an artist means making things that I love, but there’s no guarantee others will feel the same way or buy what I create. So you have to develop a thicker skin and learn to ride out the tough times, which can be mentally challenging.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the support of my wife, both emotionally and financially. She’s a very successful realtor who works hard, and her support has been invaluable. I’m truly grateful for her.

Another struggle has been figuring out how to get my art out there—how to display it and find the right platforms. Setting up and maintaining a website has been a constant learning curve, and I know it still needs improvement. But one of the best things that’s happened to me is connecting with Shyle Lyons, an amazing entrepreneur who runs *Merchants and Makers* in West Michigan. She organizes art and craft shows all around the region, and working with her has been a game changer. Through those shows, I’ve gained exposure, experience, and a level of comfort that’s opened up some great opportunities.

Looking ahead, I know there will always be bumps in the road, but when I compare where I was just a few years ago to where I am now, the progress has been incredible. If I can keep making that level of change in the next few years, it would be amazing to see how far I can go.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Primarily, I specialize in pastel chalk on sandpaper, usually using 500 or 600 grit. It’s a pretty unique medium, and it creates some pretty interesting results—there’s a lot of mess involved, and I go through a lot of chalk, but the color that ends up on the paper is vibrant and really pops. I love focusing on simple vistas, things that you see every day but might not pay much attention to. Then, I infuse those scenes with a burst of color, which brings a lot of energy to the piece.

My style is far from photo-realistic. It’s more impressionistic, and I try to put a lot of energy and movement into my work. It’s not about perfect detail; it’s about capturing the essence of a scene and making it feel alive.

What sets me apart? I think every artist is unique in their own way, but I’ve always tried to stay true to what I love and why I started doing this in the first place. My art is really just me putting out what I enjoy, without trying to overthink it. What you see is what you get. Maybe, one day, after I’m gone, people will look at my work and say, “This is what Broderick was trying to say,” but honestly, I was just trying to create something I thought was cool and hope others would enjoy it too.

I’m proud of everything I’ve done so far. It’s funny, when I first started drawing, I made a decision to post everything online, the good and the bad. Of course, looking back, I can see some pieces that probably weren’t my best, but it was a freeing experience. I think many artists can relate to the fear of posting something, worried about criticism. But the truth is, to get praise, you have to face criticism. So I embraced that and reminded myself to focus on the excitement I felt when I was creating something I loved, rather than worrying about whether or not everyone would like it.

What I’m most proud of is just learning to take it all in stride—being able to put my work out there, accept feedback, and not let the positive or negative feedback define me or my art.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve heard someone say that “luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” and I’ve always believed that to be true. I try to stay prepared and work hard, putting my best foot forward to take advantage of situations when they arise. My wife and I often debate what “putting your best foot forward” really means—she’s much more of a perfectionist than I am. But my approach is that I’d rather be 80% ready and at the art show than stay home trying to perfect everything and miss the opportunity altogether. There’s always room for improvement, but I try not to let that hold me back.

Luck has certainly played a role in my journey. I’m actually at a point right now where I’m on the cusp of something I hope will be a huge lucky break. A few years ago, I was at an art show in Grand Haven, displaying my prints, originals, greeting cards, mugs, and tumblers. A lady came up, looking through my items, and said, “Wow, these are great.” She was holding a set of greeting cards and asked if I sold them in any stores or retail locations. At the time, I was only doing art shows, so I laughed and said, “No, just here.” She handed me her business card and said she’d like to speak with me.

It turned out she worked for Meijer, and after a great conversation, I was invited to set up a table at the Bridge Street Market in downtown Grand Rapids, a store owned by Meijer. That opportunity gave me a platform to expand my reach and share my work with a wider audience. Fast forward a few months, and the same lady reached out to see if I’d be interested in having my work sold at some of Meijer’s larger stores. This spring, I’ll be setting up tables at three of Meijer’s biggest locations in Rockford, MI, Lansing, MI, and Huber Heights, OH.

I absolutely feel incredibly lucky for this opportunity, and while I can’t predict where it might take me, I’m beyond excited. It’s the kind of chance that could really change things for me. I suppose this is the perfect example of what the Boy Scouts say: always be prepared.

Contact Info:

• Email: shakerbrud@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakerbrud/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/broderick.bebout