Today we’d like to introduce you to Britt Snyder.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I came into making art, video games in a really roundabout way. I had grown up with an illustrator for a grandfather (Eugene Snyder) and had drawn my entire life but eventually abandoned it for playing guitar.
In 1998, I moved to Los Angeles with the dream of becoming a working musician and pursued the opportunities that were presented to me which turned out to be… art! All the doors for music just seemed tightly closed, but for whatever reason, the doors for visual art were wide open with opportunity so I took the hint given to me.
I started attending life drawing sessions where I met artists from Disney and Dreamworks stopping in to do some drawing. It became apparent to me that this was a possible career and path I could follow and so I did. Learning to draw and paint was a lot of work but felt so natural that it was never a chore or question. I spent countless hours and struggle to get comfortable with a pencil and paint which was backed up by learning the computer and how to create video games. I scored an internship at Blizzard Entertainment which launched me to SONY and a career in creating art for video games. Through the years this has led to my current path as a college professor and painter.
My path has been twisted and full of a lot of struggle, but I think that ultimately it has made me more interesting and not quite fitting in a neat box. I’m definitely not from the group of those who had a plan, went to school and then launched with no hitch!
Please tell us about your art.
I do a lot of different things, but I am best known as a painter at this point. My paintings are about motion, memories and capturing moments. I try to take parts of my life and freeze them on a canvas. I have had so much experience in video game development with trying to create specific experiences and dictating exactness to the viewer that I just needed a break with painting. I love artwork that is more ambiguous and pushes the viewer to participate more. What started out as a cathartic exercise to branch out from the professional work I did for video games has evolved into what I believe to be my unique take on things and artistic voice.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Even at an early stage try to have fun and do what you want to do. Quality art is always coming from a place of honest inspiration which only comes through following exactly what your impulses are in an honest way. Even if you are in a place where you can only make art commercially that doesn’t match your personal aesthetic, don’t lose touch with the importance of pursuing and holding on to art for art’s sake. Always sketch and draw like a child and most importantly have fun. I’ve personally given up countless opportunities by doing what I feel is important and honest for me. Ultimately, I believe there is a longevity and stronger body of work that speaks for itself if your time as an artist is spent creating rather than chasing trends and money.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am represented through Meyer Gallery (www.meyergallery.com) in Park City Utah (home to the Sundance Film Festival and great skiing). I also show a bit through Abend Gallery (www.abendgallery.com) in Denver, CO. Prior to this, I’ve been in galleries ranging from Principle Gallery, Arcadia Contemporary to Sloane Merrill and many others.
For supporting my work, I sell directly through the galleries so give them a call or e-mail. You can message me a brittonsnyder@hotmail.com with any questions or opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brittsnyder.com
- Email: brittonsnyder@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittsnyder_painter/
- Other: www.meyergallery.com
Image Credit:
All images Britt Snyder
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