Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Nelson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am the youngest of four kids from a small town called Coldwater, Michigan. From early elementary school I became interested and encouraged to draw, and paint. In third grade I won the Michigan Fire Prevention Poster contest. I think that solidified in my young mind that I could be an artist. I was pushed by many amazing teachers through High School and still had my heart set on making art. My parent’s were not thrilled with this idea at all. I graduated from High School with a strong background in mechanical drawing, drafting and traditional arts, Ceramics, and clay sculpture. I started my college career at a Community college still studying drafting and fine art. I transferred to Western Michigan University to continue to focus on Fine Art study, much to my parent’s disappointment. As soon as I began at WMU I became engulfed in all of the disciplines from Graphic Design and photography to three Dimensional design. After three years at Western I focused on Sculpture. It took me six years to get my BFA with a concentration in drawing and Sculpture. After working as a Welder for a military facility, I had to quit and pursue my MFA degree in sculpture. I had three amazing, frustrating serious years at MSU I taught several drawing and Three Dimensional design classes and received my MFA with honors. I then began applying for teaching positions, after 72 rejections letters, I had a show in Detroit at a gallery called the Cement Space that was opened by two of my friends from MSU. A friend introduced me to the head of Sculpture at The Center for Creative Studies. After looking at my work he offered me a one year sabbatical position teaching at CCS. This was the start of my 30 plus years of making work and teaching Sculpture, drawing, video, and three dimensional design.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everything is an obstacle and a challenge, from rent, food and buying tools and supplies. Lived in my car, and on friends couches. Slept in my studio at Western because it had a kitchen.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in the majority of the methods and processes of Sculpture. I still concentrate on welding and fabrication, but I love film and video, sewing (my mom was a seamstress ) as well as traditional vehicles of clay and plaster molding, and bronze and aluminum casting. My work is complex on many levels. I have historically made dozens of sculptures related to my 40 year history with mental illness and pharmacology. Which has lead me into researching family history from the macro of (the Family or home) to the micro of scientific references to DNA and Molecular make up. Most recently, post Covid, I have been making work about Climate change, weather anomalies, and political references. I am probably most known regionally for my fabrication skills and my attention to the craftsmanship and detail in my work. I am most proud of my Wife and my two boys, this family, and our marriage is my greatest achievement. I don’t really know what set’s me apart from others, as there is always artists out there that are better than you. I am proud of my teaching, and equally proud of my work ethic, the studio is my second home.
What makes you happy?
Great question? My family as mentioned previously. Success in the studio, is great every now and then I make a sculpture that sings Opera, about one out of 10? That same feeling comes with success in the classroom and teaching. Travel is a happy place weather hiking in Alaska, Arizona, or most recently visiting my grandfathers birth place on the Island of Oland in Sweden. I learned so many interesting facts about my heritage and homeland. Riding my bicycle is always a happy place.
Pricing:
- I pay myself $125.00 an hour to design and build
- Therefore my sculptures sell based on that price scale
- Many sculptures take me 8 months to a year to complete
- People don’t understand the time and knowledge it takes to make these objects
Contact Info:
- Instagram: #burwood3201
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.nelson.9003
