Benjamin Bryant

More than 25 years ago, an art teacher told artist Benjamin Bryant that he had no artistic talent and should find something--anything!--else to do with his time...in front of an entire class of 8th grade students. It was humiliating and lasting--aside from a few doodles here and there (and learning the basics of Photoshop), Bryant never endeavored to make visual art again. That is, until October 13, 2013--in the midst of the Government shutdown mess, incredible stress at work (compounded by the loss of the furloughed workers), and a serious case of creative writer's block, when he impulsively marched into a nearby art store during one of DC's famous rush hour delays, and decided he would teach himself how to paint.

Bryant recalls he purposely chose painting because he was scared of it, and believed himelf to be absolutely devoid of talent in the pursuit. How times have changed! Nearly six years later, art continues to be a deeply satisfying ride for Bryant, one that has become both personally and professionally satisfying.

Bryant started with a simple exercise he felt he couldn't get wrong: the drawing or painting of a vase full of flowers, a theme that recurs in his work to this day. He reports he seeks to forever learn, e...

Four years into life as a professional artist, Benjamin Bryant reports he still dread questions about his "art education." While Bryant holds two masters' degrees, and boasts a resume that includes work on multiple projects for the Bush and Obama administration, none of his formal education, nor his highest-profile professional highlights, are, to date, in a creative field.

While Bryant assures he is quite proud to have achieved the success he has ("for which I am eternally grateful and will forever seek to pay forward in any and all ways I am able") as a self-taught and experimental artist, he notes he can find himself sheepish in rooms of artists and art lovers with creative resumes that dwarf mine.

However, he retains his perspective, saying "I believe all art comes from personal experience and the intimate creative spirit, so I ultimately embrace the path that brought me here, even if it has seen more of the Pentagon, White House, and halls of Academia than it has creative pursuits.

"In a way, the rigid confines of much of my experience has concentrated and focused my creative spirit and given me the skills to forever learn and grow. These qualities--and my varied experiences living and working around the country an...