With creativity abounding in the community around us, The Concord Insider, in collaboration with Concord Arts Market, highlights local artists on a regular basis.

This week’s artist is Brittany Batchelder, who lives in Nashua.

Batchelder is currently a practicing illustrator and author who recently published her work “The Avian Tarot” through Chronicle Books. She is currently running her small business, BL. Batchelder Art & Illustration, full-time by traveling all over the New England area to sell her work through various vendors, events, conventions, and shows. When not running her business, she builds her 2D concept art portfolio for the video game industry, and is currently learning 3D applications in her free time as a continuously growing artist.

Q: What does art mean to you? Art has been my entire life, for as long as I can remember. It means freedom to be oneself, find other like-minded people who are into the same stuff as you, and – as someone who works professionally – the ability to make others happy and to also deliver ways to entertain and inform non-conventionally through my recent writings in Tarot. I’ve always enjoyed the process. It’s a tangible, legible way to connect with others. It also means being able to learn from mentors and incorporating their workflow and techniques into your own work. Ultimately, art means communication, connection, and knowledge.

Q: Where do you find inspiration? At the moment, a lot of my traditional and publication work is based on nature, animals, history and tarot. So a lot of research, real life and photo references currently act as my inspirations. As for past inspirations, most of my first exposure to the fine art scene in my youth were the post-impressionists i.e. Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch and Pablo Picasso. My earliest exposure to post-modern commercial work were ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s air-brushed art on magazines and fourth- through fifth-generation video game box-art, and my first exposure to the subject of illustration were early twentieth-century figures, such as J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper, etc.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring artists? While technology was rapidly evolving when I was growing up, as of 2020 and onward, we are currently experiencing exponentially changing times. Learn as many applications, techniques, and workflows as one possibly can for professional applications. While I’m doing my traditional artwork and writing for my publications, I’m continuing to learn and improve my skill-set in the 2D digital space, of which includes applications outside the Adobe Suites, such as Krita, Clip Studio Paint, Gimp, etc. As of recent, I’ve also been picking up 3D applications for more permanent, full-time positions in my preferred industry, with future plans on also putting my newfound 3D skill sets back into my small business.

Ultimately, be open to working with others, learn and implement constructive criticism, and continuously apply it to your workflow and creative practice. Be sure to network and keep in contact with your peers, as I still keep tabs with my college friends out in Ohio, where I graduated with my BFA in 2019. The wider your creative net, the more exposure to different artistic approaches/practices can enrich your visual library. Most importantly, find people who will support your artistic pursuits, as they will be your greatest ally in your creative journey. I certainly couldn’t have done everything without the support of my family members!

Q: What else do you want people to know? When you’re approaching your art career and creative practice/hobby, make sure it’s something that interests you and gives a sense of accomplishment. Improving your skill-set is personally challenging and gives a sense of joy and connection with others, because that’s what will matter most at the end of the day when approaching a creative/fine art career. Be sure to support other local artists and small artistically-based businesses! Your contribution helps make a difference in the community and the area at large!

I currently run a very small art business, “BL. Batchelder Art & Illustration” that is only accessible through my vending shows, events, and conventions around the New England area. For more information, visit https://blbatchelder.wixsite
.com/portfolio