B.B. Rich

Artist & Illustrator

About the Artist

B.B. Rich is a Tennessee-based artist who uses female portraits and figures to highlight positive themes such as calmness, confidence, and strength. He likes elegant simplicity and boldness, creating artwork that leaps out to meet the eyes.His work is on display at:Trellis & Vine Gallery
27 S Lowry St.
Smyrna, TN 37167Phone: (615) 768 - 9503
Email: [email protected]Open Wed-Sat, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PMClick below to buy art from Trellis & Vine's online store, powered by Shopify, or contact B.B. Rich directly. If you want to visit the gallery in person, it's located in Smyrna, Tennessee, about halfway between Nashville and Murfreesboro.

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On this page, you'll find B.B. Rich's art blog. There are posts about all kinds of topics related to Art: The Inspiration behind the work, guides to Art Appreciation and Collecting, advice for fellow artists, and more.Some of my blog posts are very long. If you're the type of person who likes to settle in, get comfortable, and take your time enjoying a good read, you're in the right place! Click a post below to get started.Feel free to send me your comments too! Instead of being posted publicly, your comments come straight to my email. That way I can reply to each one personally.

Enjoying & Collecting Art for Absolute BeginnersAre you someone who's interested in art, but you don't know where to begin? Have you ever visited an art gallery before? If you have, then hopefully your first experience with it was better than mine.My first time walking into an art gallery, I remember feeling kind of lost. I knew that I was interested in art, but I didn't know where to start. I loved looking at all the art in the gallery, but it was also intimidating. The atmosphere was oppressively quiet, which made it really uncomfortable. It was impossible to relax or talk normally. I was curious about some of the artists whose work I saw in the gallery, but no one would really explain anything about who they were or how I could find out more. In fact, the gallery owner didn't seem to want to talk to me at all.The art was so expensive, and I didn't understand why. And they definitely weren't going to talk to me about that! In fact, I got a very strong impression that it was already over from the moment I walked in. They looked over me once and immediately filed me away under the "You Can't Afford Us" category, then pretty much ignored me from that point on.The final straw was that, because it was so absolutely tomb quiet in there, I could very clearly overhear the owner muttering to his employee: "We've gotta get this guy out of here. He's not buying anything, he's just... hanging around." Yes... I was "hanging around"... looking at art... in an art gallery. Somehow, I was made to feel like that was wrong. Needless to say, I was done with that mess; I walked out and never stepped foot in there again. It would be months before I visited another art gallery.That was my first experience with an art gallery, and unfortunately, it's not all that uncommon. Thankfully, over the years, I've had many more positive experiences with art galleries. Part of the reason I wrote this post is so that people can be informed and comfortable approaching art for the first time.So, we're going to go over a few simple concepts that will help start you on your way to understanding and enjoying art.First, what is Art? This is a question that could really get caught up in a lot of philosophical debate, but we're going to keep our definition very simple. For our purposes, we'll define "art" this way: Art is an image or object crafted by human hands for the main purposes of expression, illustration, or beauty. Art isn't just found in galleries and museums; it's really all around us in various forms. The designs we see in the natural world, the buildings we live and work in, the vehicles we drive, the clothes we wear. Almost everything we see and use in our daily life had an artist involved in its creation at some point in the process. That's part of the reason why art is valuable and important.So, what is an Artist? Simply put, an artist is a person who creates art. There are lots of different ways that artists create, and lots of reasons why they create. For some, it's simply a hobby that they do in their spare time, for personal fulfilment. Others create art professionally and make it their main line of work. Many people do a little of both, making art as a hobby and selling it for a little side income.There are other reasons why people create as well. For some, it's just fun. They see something they like, and they want to draw, paint, or sculpt it. Just that simple. Others aren't so concerned about what they draw or paint, they just love the act of creating art in and of itself. And some are driven by a passion, a particular vision, or even a need to express something. Every one of these reasons is valid, and that's part of the reason why art is so varied and diverse.Next, what is an Art Gallery? While art museums mainly display art for educational and historical purposes, an art gallery is, in the simplest terms, a shop where art is displayed and sold. Galleries provide a space for artists to show their work and a storefront to help them earn income from it. The best galleries are also a place for the local art community to thrive, supporting local artists and bringing access to art to the people of the larger community. Galleries are a place where artists and art enjoyers can connect.If you've been to a gallery or spent much time around artists, you've probably heard them using terms that seem strange out of context. We're going to go through a few of these terms to take some of the confusion out of art for beginning appreciators and collectors.First, we'll define the "subject." Simply put, the subject is what the artwork is about. It's the basic thing that the art is depicting. Whether it's a picture of a person, a place, a thing, or even splashes of color, that is the subject.Secondly, there's the "medium" (or "media" if there's more than one). The medium is the tools and materials used to make the art. Is it a pencil drawing or pen drawing, an oil, acrylic, or watercolor painting, a clay sculpture, or something else? Whatever it's made of, that's the medium. If a piece of art is made using a combination of different tools and materials, it might be called a "mixed media" piece. (My drawings, for example, are a mix of ink, color pencil, markers, and occasionally digital tools.)Thirdly, there are "originals" and "prints." The original is the piece made directly by the artist's hands, the first one before any copies are made. These are the highest valued pieces because there's only one original. A print is a reproduction of that original piece. Prints are made for a number of reasons, such as allowing more people to enjoy the art at a less expensive price. Artists might also make prints so they can keep a copy of their work after the original piece sells.Fourthly, when looking at prints, you may see terms like "limited edition" or "open edition." These are simple to understand: A Limited Edition print means that only a limited number of copies will be made. For example, if a print has a limited edition of 100, then only 100 will be made. Each one will be numbered 1 through 100, and once they're done, that's it. This is done mainly to increase the value of prints for collectors, while still keeping the price much lower than an original piece.On the other hand, an "open edition" means that an unlimited number of copies can be printed. These are the least expensive kinds of prints, and they're used by artists who want to get the artwork into as many people's hands as possible at a low price. For art collectors, Open Edition prints are a great way to get started with collecting art on a budget. (All of my art prints, for example, are open edition.)Next, you might hear the term "Archival Quality." This might seem a little strange out of context, but it's really easy to understand. "Archival" simply means that a piece of art is built to last. It's made using quality materials that will not easily degrade over time. It's a good thing to look for if you want the art in your collection to last a really long time for your enjoyment.Finally, there's matting and framing. Framing, of course, is simple enough. It's simply putting something in a frame. It makes a piece of art feel more "complete," and in practical terms, it gives you a way to actually hang it up on your wall.Matting is often just as important as framing, but is sometimes overlooked. It's especially important if the art is framed behind glass. The "mat" is a border around the edges of the art that serves at least three purposes. First, it adds a touch of refinement and professionalism to the art, even enhancing the art visually. Secondly, it enlarges the art, increasing its value and allowing it to fit in standard frame sizes. (This can save you a lot of money since you won't need expensive custom framing.) And thirdly, it protects the artwork itself from being damaged by rubbing against the inside of the glass frame.All these things we've discussed so far can help to understand how art is priced. There are no hard-and-fast rules for pricing art, and every artist does it a little differently. Some use an hourly wage, for example, while others price according to size, and some have highly complex formulas or purely subjective ways of pricing.Still, there are a few general principles that will apply almost universally. Originals are priced the highest, Limited Edition prints second, and open edition prints (or other things that allow infinite copies, like merch) are priced the lowest. Generally, the larger a piece of art is, the higher its price, while conversely, small pieces may be priced much lower. Because of the benefits that matting & framing provide, and the work and expense involved in doing so, matted & framed pieces are priced considerably higher than unframed art.When we look at the combination of factors, it's easier to understand art pricing. For example, a large-sized, Original art piece, matted & framed, is a highly premium item, while a very small, unframed print is a budget-friendly option. Most artists provide a mix of both.So, why is art so valuable to us? There are lots of reasons, but here are just a few: It appeals to our natural, inborn attraction to beauty. It gives us a powerful and personal way of expressing ourselves and our ideas. That doesn't just apply to artists, but also to everyone who enjoys art. Your art collection is as much of a personal expression for you as the art is for the artist. Art allows us to share ideas in a way that goes beyond words, and we can even build a community around it, as artists and art collectors have done for centuries. No doubt you'll come up with your own special reasons that make art valuable for you.I hope this little beginner talk has helped take away some of the mystery, confusion, and intimidation of getting started with art. With everything you've learned, you're ready to go on and enjoy art! If you're in the Middle Tennessee area, the Trellis & Vine Gallery in Smyrna, TN is a great place to start. Not only is it filled with beautiful art, but you'll also be supporting local artists and the community. None of this is possible without you and others like you, so thank you for being here.- B.B. Rich

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Embracing the Beauty of ImperfectionsUpon Reflection, Pleasant Fragrance, and Garden Gate can be considered a set. They were created with a similar idea in mind. As a self-taught artist with no formal training, I am very conscious of all the ways that my artwork is different from others' art. This, combined with the use of pen & ink, which requires an extreme level of precision, can trigger an awful sense of perfectionism and pressure. It can be almost paralyzing.When I created these pieces, I decided to try an experiment. Instead of spending time doing preliminary sketches and measuring to get "perfect" lines and proportions, I would just... draw. Literally, I would just pick up my pen, draw directly in ink, and accept the result. No sketching or measuring, combined with my own personal style, gave these drawings an almost abstract quality. There were all sorts of "mistakes" in the proportions, lines, and everything, but somehow it was still aesthetically beautiful. The parts that I would normally think of as "wrong" ended up giving these drawings life and character.It was a good reminder to me that beauty doesn't necessarily come from getting everything "perfect." That kind of perfection is impossible for us human beings anyway. Instead, it really seems to come from embracing all the little irregularities and imperfections. Somehow, they all come together to create a whole that's uniquely beautiful. In the end, it also makes me far less self-conscious about the little quirks of my self-taught style.I hope the message about avoiding the trap of perfectionism resonates with you as strongly as it did with me. These drawings could help remind you to embrace the things about yourself that are less-than-perfect. And, perhaps, they could help to see yourself more positively and appreciate your own uniqueness as a person.- B.B. Rich

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Supporting the Artist in Your LifeDo you know someone who wants to be a professional artist and is working really hard but struggling to earn income from their work? Lots of people do know someone like that. Being an artist is hard work, both in terms of the craft and (especially) on the business side of things. It's not impossible, though. Sometimes they just need a little support, like anyone else.Artists get a lot of advice from well-meaning people, but sadly not all of it is really useful or helpful. For example, much of the advice that struggling artists receive basically boils down to "Stop being an artist and do something else." Or, sometimes they may be told to stop trying to sell their art and create only "for the love of it." This unfortunately sends the message of "Your work has no value, so you should do it for free" - even if it's not remotely intended that way. This wouldn't be helpful advice in any line of work, the art profession included.So if those things are unhelpful, then what is helpful? Here are a few possibilities. If you know someone who's an artist, see if any of these work for you:1. Help them sell their art! This is the first and clearest way to help an artist. Tell your friends, family, and acquaintances about the artist and their work. No need to try to be a salesperson; just put the word out there a little bit. You never know who might love their work and turn into an interested collector.2. Keep an eye out for opportunities for artists, and let the artist know when you hear of something. Make sure to tell them if you hear about art and craft fairs, art crawls, galleries looking for artists to exhibit, and other things that might benefit them. These things can be great ways for them to earn income from their work.3. Encourage them when they're down. Artists face intense pressure from both external sources and from within. The pressure to make money, the pressure to be "perfect" at their craft (even though this is impossible), the pressure to be competitive with other artists (even though this serves no purpose), and their own inner critic and self-doubt. It's a lot. It can become so crushing that the artist feels like giving up. If you can be there for them at times like this and give them a little encouragement, this is immensely helpful.These are just a few little ways that a person can help an artist without discouraging them. Doing these things is not only practical, but also deeply meaningful. If you're willing to do things like this, you show the artist in your life that you really are on their side. You show them that you really do want them to succeed. It could be just the nudge they need to reach their goals. It could also be just what they need to help them endure the inevitable trials of being an artist and hold on until things get better.- B.B. Rich

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A Softer Kind of StrengthWhen you think of the word "strong," what kinds of things usually come to mind? It's easy to picture someone hitting the gym, lifting weights, or maybe a huge, powerful animal; phrases like "strong as an ox" might come to mind. When I drew this, though, I wanted to portray strength in a different way.There is a kind of strength that manifests itself in less obvious ways than muscle and raw physical power. Gentle Strength shows a woman who is demonstrating, by her calmness, dignity, and poise, that she's strong. The fullness of her figure gives her a sense of solidity and substance as well. She demonstrates her strength in a way that's uniquely feminine.In some ways, she reminds me of some of the women in my life as I was growing up. Many of them had this kind of calm, dignified strength about them. It had an effect on me too, as I still admire this trait in people to this day, and try to cultivate it myself.I hope you can relate to this piece, and that you can find your own unique strength and value it.- B.B. Rich

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Keeping It FunFor a long time - and I do mean a long time - I wracked my brain trying to figure out the meaning behind this piece, Red Finesse. The truth is, though, it doesn't really have a "deep" or profound meaning. I did this digital painting purely for fun and learning. I was experimenting with colors and brushstrokes. The flaming red tones and the elegant ink brush of her hair was the most fun part of the the piece.If there's any message at all behind this piece, I suppose it's this: Art doesn't always need a "message." It's perfectly OK to do something just for fun or just to experiment. If I start feeling that every piece has to have something deep and serious behind it, it quickly becomes stifling creatively. I start feeling like I can't create at all unless I have something profound to say, and I think this happens to a lot of artists out there.So, don't be afraid to keep it simple, play around, and have fun. That's what keeps our creativity fresh and alive.- B.B. Rich

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Celebrating Your WinsI've come to love this cute, retrofuturistic space girl. I especially like the double bubble helmet: One for her head and another for her gorgeous Afro. (I don't know what vacuum does to your hair, and I don't really want to find out.) At first, I figured that this was just a little drawing done for fun, like Red Finesse, but over time I started to see that there was more to it. This happens a lot with me; I often don't see the true meaning of a piece until sometime after I've finished it. When I look at it now, here's what I see:This is a woman who's just achieved something great: She's reached the moon - not Earth's moon, but one much more distant, maybe in a distant part of space. Whatever moon this is, it's hers now. Now, she's looking out to the stars to see where she's going to explore next. But first, she's taking a moment to celebrate her win right here.I think it's an important thing to do. We get so caught up in what we want to do, have to do, and wish we could do, that sometimes we forget to appreciate what we're already doing and what we already have done. I believe we really need to take a moment to do that from time to time.- B.B. Rich

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Why I Don't Use Social Media for My Art Business - And What I Do InsteadHello everyone. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, settle in, and get comfortable. This is going to be a nice, long read.Ever since I became an artist professionally, I've been surprised at how much intense pressure there is to use social media. So many people have told me that I absolutely must have it. There is an almost dogmatic belief that it is completely impossible, or at least insurmountably difficult, for an artist to have any success today without social media.When it comes down to it, though, no one has given me any actual hard evidence that social media is as vital as it's made out to be. In fact, I'm not sure it's even beneficial at all for the vast majority of artists (or people in general, but that's a whole other topic). It certainly didn't do much of anything for me. On the contrary, it ended up being far more trouble than it was worth.Like most people who start out with social media, it was kind of fun at first. It was great seeing the absolutely brilliant work that so many artists around the world were putting out there. In the beginning, it seemed as if I was getting all sorts of ideas and inspiration. Or at least, that's what I told myself. In reality, it was all just kind of overwhelming. In the end, I also realized that I was just seeing the same things over and over again. Not only the same posts coming up repeatedly, but also everyone else imitating that post in an effort to get some attention.See, a big part of the problem with social media is the way it's set up. The neverending "feed"; the endless scrolling; the sheer amount of stuff flying past your eyes as fast as your thumb can drag or your mouse wheel can turn. I use the phrase "flying past your eyes" for a reason: Social media is not designed for people to actually look at things. It's designed to keep flooding the eyes with more and more stuff, to make sure people never stop scrolling. Why is that? Because the more people keep scrolling, the more ads they see. In an environment like that, how can anyone take the time to really engage with a work of art in any meaningful way? They only see it for a second or two before it disappears into the void.What this leads to is a completely fragmented mind and deconstruction of the attention span. With every controversy, influencer, and advertiser clamoring for their attention at once, a person's focus is just all over the place. It is also designed to keep a person glued to their device, constantly checking, checking, checking. "Did I get more likes? Did I get new followers? Did I get more views?" Always looking for the little hit of dopamine whenever numbers go up - or the sinking, depressed feeling when they don't.That's what I noticed happening to me. I was constantly checking for something, some tiny little bit of acknowledgement or engagement. I was grabbing a device to check Pinterest all hours of the night and almost every spare moment of the day. I was anxiously checking my phone for any little notification that someone, anyone did something, anything with one of my posts.My experience is extremely common among social media users, though many of them are unaware of it and some deny it. Even thoroughly understanding the tactics social media corporations use doesn't make me immune to them. A man doesn't become fireproof just because he knows how fire works. We all have a brain, it works in specific ways, and the tactics used by social media companies are literally designed to "hack" it. (That's not an alarmist exaggeration. A prominent figure in the industry referred to this as "exploiting vulnerability in human psychology.")A second problem was that, no matter how much work I put into it, I was still not being seen. Social media has a really nasty way of making you feel invisible. It's as if you either go viral or you don't exist, and there's very little in between. When you put so much work into your posts and get no meaningful response, all kinds of awful thoughts can go through your head. "Did I do something wrong? Do people just not like my art at all? Is my art really that bad?" And the next thing you know, you're spiraling into a black hole of imposter syndrome and depression.This isn't your fault, or mine. Again, this is by design. Social media systems are specifically tailored to make big creators even bigger and keep small creators small. If you're just starting out, the system is designed to bury you and shift people's attention toward something or someone else that's already huge. It's a "rich get richer; poor get poorer" kind of situation, and the algorithms are constantly tweaked to maintain this status quo. I got sick and tired of dealing with corporations deliberately designing search engines to not find things.If you're posting your artwork on social media and getting no response, 9 times out of 10, or I'd even daresay 99 times out of 100, it is not because your art isn't any good. It's almost never because people don't like it. It's because they aren't being allowed to see it. Many times, even your own followers won't be allowed to see your posts. Yes, the algorithm or some AI-driven system quite often decides that your content is not "relevant" even to people who are specifically following you for it.The third problem is the massive time and resource sink that social media has become, with almost no return on investment. You can't just post artwork. It has to look perfectly photographed and staged. You have to make videos that look professionally shot and edited. To stand out, you practically have to be a professional photographer, interior decorator, and one-person film crew all at the same time. And you have to do this over and over again, for every individual post and every single platform you're on. All this for what? A blip in someone's feed that they'll only see for a few seconds before scrolling on.While you're using up so much time trying to be a one-person media company, when do you make art? The answer is: You don't. At least, that's what it was for me. Is it really worth all that time and effort just to post something that may or may not be seen, and even if it is seen, it'll only be for 2 seconds or so? I decided that it was not worth it at all.People often talk negatively about art galleries for being "gatekeepers," preventing so many talented new artists from being seen and gaining success. And there is definitely some real truth to that when it comes to the really old-fashioned or high-end galleries, places where your name and notoriety are more important than your work. But there is no gatekeeper more arbitrary and exclusionary than a social media algorithm.There are a lot more reasons I could go into as to why I have such a negative view of social media. Exploitative, unethical policies; highly selective moderation and rule enforcement; aggressive invasions of privacy at every level; business models that effectively treat users as factory-farmed livestock... The list goes on. But rather than go on with that, I want to talk about what I'm doing instead of social media.First, I've built my own website. That's the cornerstone of any artist's presence on the internet. Having my own site is not only professional, but it also lets me do things on my own terms. I'm not subject to the selectively enforced rules of a social media corp that can shut me down or erase my art and posts on a whim.An artist's site doesn't need to be super elaborate either. A simple, straightforward portfolio page with a little information about you and where/how your art can be purchased is enough. Bonus points if you write a blog. It's something people can engage with, and all that text makes it easier for search engines to find you. That's what I'm doing with my site here.Secondly, I'm building up my own email list. (If you've already signed up, thank you so much!) This lets me keep in touch with people directly, without any middleman getting to decide whether or not my art or messages reach them. It's also much more personal than a social media post, as I can either send out a general newsletter or speak with each person one-on-one. This is far better than a social media follower list could ever be.Thirdly, and most importantly, there's good old-fashioned word of mouth. Real-life, face-to-face conversations with real people. There is absolutely nothing like it. I've made so much progress from this I can't even fully describe how valuable it's been. Connections with fellow artists, real ideas and inspiration, direct help from those who have already found success, support when things get tough, and even new product lines launched to help me make sales. All of it came from nothing more than just... talking to people - something social media has ironically made it needlessly difficult to do.I hope this post hasn't made me sound like some kind of anti-tech Luddite. I'm not. As an artist doing a lot of work digitally, I can't afford to have such a backward attitude. It's just that, in the case of social media, I don't buy the dogma that it's the only way to succeed, and there are compelling reasons for me not to use it. This is why I don't use social media, and unless it changes drastically to something much better for people's well-being (including my own), I have no plans to use it for the foreseeable future.So if you're here reading all this (and you've sat through to the end), again, thank you. People like you are the reason why any of this can be successful. If you found this post helpful or thought-provoking, or if you just want to get in contact with me for any reason and share your thoughts, just use the comment boxes below, email me directly, or sign up for my email list at the bottom of the main page. I'm not difficult to get ahold of, and I love a good conversation.- B.B. Rich

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Learning to Love Where You AreI didn't always have an appreciation for living in the South. (For readers from other countries, that's the southeastern region of the United States.) It was frustrating trying to gain any real traction as an artist living in small towns down here. I always thought that I could only make it if I could get to some place with a real, "serious" art community like New York. Looking back, I'm so very glad my life didn't go in that direction. No offense to anyone from NYC at all, you have a beautiful city, but that's just not my kind of place to live.Over the years, as I slowed down, I started to see the beauty of this place. There is, of course, the natural beauty. The South is still a very green place, with forests, rivers, lakes, hills, mountains, and all. Every year the dogwoods and crepe myrtles light up the town and people's yards. The smell of honeysuckles fills the air every summer.But there's more to it than the natural beauty. It's the people who really make this place what it is. It's that Southern culture of hospitality, courtesy, and generosity that I've really come to appreciate. Sometimes people call it "Southern Hospitality" or "Southern Charm." Those qualities helped me learn to appreciate being here instead of always wishing I could be somewhere else - to make the choice to bloom where I've been planted for now.That was the inspiration behind Southern Grace. The lady is drawn in the style of a classical Greek statue, gracefully posed and draped with flowing cloth. But with her big sun hat and the magnolia blossom in her hand, she's got a touch of Southern flair. A simple, primarily black and white drawing approach seemed best for this.There's beauty in every place and culture, which is why people so often love the place they came from. Sometimes we take it for granted. It might take some time and experience to slow down and learn to appreciate it, and shift that mindset from "I'm stuck here" to "I love it here."- B.B. Rich

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Memories and MeaningThe lady in this drawing, dressed as a princess, is surrounded by colorful turquoise and orange butterflies. Because she is so serene, the butterflies trust her enough to land and settle in her hair. The shared calmness between the two of them creates mutual trust, and that's where its title, Trust & Tranquility, comes from. (Also, as a little bonus, it sounds like a title Jane Austen would've used.)This piece also has a person meaning for me. There's a memory I have, which may have influenced me to draw this. Some years ago, my wife and I visited a zoo with a butterfly garden. She had such a wonderful time with all the butterflies surrounding and landing on her, and it was a joy to watch. She has passed away since then. This is one of my fondest memories of her. As with many of my art pieces, I didn't fully understand it until after it was finished.Of course, everyone who looks at a work of art might have their own understanding of it, and that's something I find really interesting. Perhaps this piece might have some particular meaning for you as it does for me. At the very least, I do hope you may find beauty and perhaps some sense of calm from it.- B.B. Rich

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Getting Past Creative Blocks and BurnoutWell, this subject had to come up eventually. Sooner or later, every artist or creative person in general has to deal with it. We all run into those days where it seems like our creativity has just run dry. Nothing works. No drawing, no painting, no sculpting. Every artist has their own opinions about how to deal with being blocked or burned out. Today I'm going to write about my own ways of handling them.Somehow, every time a creative block occurs, it feels like the first time. It's as if we forget that such a thing can happen - until it does. And every time, it's like a darkness or fog that we can't see through to the other side. It feels like we'll never be able to create again. Yet, somehow, we do create again.Some artists believe that the way to handle being blocked is to just power through it somehow. Just keep forcing yourself to draw something, anything to stay busy. I see this suggestion a lot, but there's a key difference: When I see artists say this, they're usually referring to a case of not feeling "inspired," not an actual creative block. For a serious case of creative block, I find that trying to push through it just doesn't work.When it comes down to it, I believe that creativity is a kind of energy - just like physical energy, mental energy, and even emotional energy. What happens to those when they've been heavily exerted? They get depleted, exhausted. If what I believe about creative energy is true, then there's a simple comparison I can make with physical energy. What happens if we keep forcing more exertion when we're already exhausted? Physically, it can lead to illness or injury. The same is true when it comes to mental health, and creativity is really exertion of the mind. The mind and the body need rest.When I've exerted myself creatively, that energy runs out and needs time to recover. For some reason, we're not used to thinking that way. I suspect that a big part of the reason for this is our work culture in general, especially today's "hustle culture." It pushes some very distorted, unhealthy ideas about rest. We're expected to just "grind" through everything regardless of how it affects us.It never fails, though, that if I try to "power through" a case of creative block, not only do I fail to accomplish anything, but it often makes things worse. Continued overextertion can cause a sort of creative "injury," turning a simple temporary creative block into full-on burnout. And burnout is much harder and more frustrating to deal with.I had to train myself to do the same thing creatively that I would if I were tired physically: Rest. It's remarkable how hard it is to convince myself to do that, and I think that's something a lot of artists can relate to. But the fact is, it works. The creative energy gradually replenishes over time, and before I know it, I'm right back to drawing again. If I'm fully burnt out (which I can avoid in the first place by respecting my limits), the answer is still the same: Rest. The difference is that it requires a lot more rest for a longer period of time. And like an injury, continued attempts to exert oneself during it will only make it worse.Now, what exactly does creative rest look like? That might be a little different for every artist. It varies even for me at times. Sometimes all it takes is switching gears from one thing to another for awhile, like going from drawing to writing. But on the days when neither drawing nor writing will work, the only real choice is to put it all down and recharge. If I'm really creatively exhausted, I can't do anything creative until I've recovered. Seriously, my brain just feels like a brick, and even something as simple as building a house in Minecraft becomes too much.So, that's my technique for getting past creative blocks and burnout, if it can even be called a "technique" at all. There's nothing fancy or glamorous about it, no little mental tricks or brain hacks. It's just plain old-fashioned resting when you're tired, as you would in any other kind of work. That's what works for me.

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How I Handle Feedback - Positive or NegativeAs an artist, the feedback I get varies a great deal. It could be a person I've met saying, "I like that" or "I don't like that." It could be someone on social media clicking "Like" or leaving a comment (that is, if I used social media or ever chose to again). And sometimes, it could be really detailed critique. Whichever way it comes to me, it's all feedback. Once I get feedback, the two main things to consider are: 1) How to respond to it, and 2) How to use it.When it comes to basic things such as a "Like" on social media or some other online platform, these can give a little confidence boost, but beyond that they really aren't of much use. They don't tell me why someone likes the piece or give me anything to follow up on. I usually just accept things like this with a simple thanks and move on.On the other hand, an actual comment, whether online or in person, is much more valuable to me. Even if it's just someone saying "I like this," the fact that they took the time to type something out makes it more useful. It also gives me a little something to work with. For instance, I can respond with questions, such as: "What's your favorite thing about it?" "What made it stand out to you?" "What does it make you think of?" These kinds of questions can open the way to real conversations. And real conversations are one of the most valuable things I can have as an artist.Sometimes I might get really detailed critiques. If a person goes into a lot of depth about what they like, what they don't, how it makes them feel, etc., then this type of feedback is really helpful. The reason is the same as above: It leads to conversation. Even moreso because the person is already telling me all I need to know to continue the conversation. Of course, asking questions still doesn't hurt, even if it's just a matter of clarifying something they've said or written.Whether the feedback is positive or negative, there are a few things I always try to keep in mind.First of all, I try not to take feedback too personally - even if it's delivered in a somewhat personal way. If it's positive, I don't want to let it make me arrogant, and if it's negative, I can't let it kill my confidence. I have to stay balanced.Secondly, I always want to keep my composure, never responding to negative feedback with anger, snarky remarks, or insults, for example. Instead of retaliating, I stay calm, thank them for their comments, and move on. If that feedback, even though negative, is something I find insightful, I might ask some questions and try to have a little conversation. I might still be able to get something useful out of it.Of course, if the "feedback" is just needless hostility or insults, I don't even bother engaging with that at all. If it's online, I'll delete it, block that person, etc. I'm not getting pulled into drama; I don't have time for that nonsense.So, what do I actually do with feedback I receive? I listen to it, think it over, and see whether it aligns with my goals as an artist or not. If it does, I take it and use it to improve - or at least reinforce what I'm already doing right. If it doesn't align with my goals, then I can graciously accept it, then set it aside.I have to be careful because some people have a tendency to try to make my art conform to their own preferences - even though they aren't actually buying from me or paying me a commission. This is a common problem faced by many, many artists. I know from personal experience that following this type of feedback leads to losing my own voice. Also, in most cases changing my art to suit their preferences doesn't mean they'll start supporting me or purchasing. Usually, that kind of thing just puts off the audience that already likes my work, while the hypothetical new audience never actually shows up.So this is how I handle feedback, both positive and negative. I like to believe this is a fairly healthy, balanced approach. It lets me take what I can use and discard what I can't, while also being courteous to those who send me comments. If you're an artist, I hope this has been at least a little bit useful to you. And if you aren't, then maybe this has given you some insight into how we think. Whoever you may be, thanks so much for taking the time to read all this and support my work.- B.B. Rich

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Bringing Ideas to LifeThe fact that we humans have the ability to bring our ideas to life is amazing to me. We can conceive something in our minds, work out how to bring it to fruition, and then bring it into the world. That's the concept that inspired this piece, Brilliance in Bloom.The flowers in this lady's hair, while beautiful, are more than just a simple decoration. In fact, they weren't placed in her hair; they're growing from her hair. Those flowers represent her thoughts, insights, and creativity coming into bloom, being brought into the world.This was one of the rare cases of me knowing exactly what the idea was even while the drawing was being worked on. As I went along, it just made sense. I also took a little inspiration from paintings featuring African-American women with an Afro hairstyle filled with flowers. It's such a beautiful image that I wanted to do my own take on it. I might very well visit this theme again.- B.B. Rich

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Coffee & ConfidenceI like coffee. I always have. I also like fall. It's my favorite season of the year, when the colors light up and the weather gets nice and cool. When I drew this, though, it was still August; I didn't care. I was done with summer and its insufferable heat and ready for a change. So, autumn vibes and the simple fact that I like coffee gave me all the inspiration I needed for this drawing.When I started drawing this lady, I wanted to capture that feeling of confidence that comes after you've had that morning coffee. If you're a coffee drinker, you've probably experienced that feeling of "before and after."Before the coffee: "Why did I get up this morning...? I wish I could just go back to bed..."After the coffee: "Alright, I can handle anything the world can throw at me now. Let's go!"That's what she represents. She's cool, collected, and striking just the right balance of confidence without arrogance or smugness. She's ready for anything, but still down-to-earth and humble.This has become one of my favorite pieces, so much so that I've had the original drawing reproduced on merch - starting with, naturally, a coffee mug. I hope a little bit of her cool confidence comes across to anyone who looks at this artwork. Even just a little bit of confidence can be such a powerful, uplifting thing. It can do wonders for a person, as long as they use it the right way.- B.B. Rich

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This One Is SpecialIn many ways, this piece lives up to its name. It's special to me because I spent a great deal of time and effort getting it just right. It also helped rejuvenate my ability to create after a long slump.Aside from that, it has at least two meanings for me. The first is that the flower she holds is special to her. She could have had any chrysanthemum, or even a whole field of them, but this particular one is the one that matters. Why? Perhaps it was given to her by someone special, or it represents a deeper meaning for her. It's up to each person to decide what makes this flower special.The second meaning is that the woman herself is special. Her gracefulness, her serenity, and her poise make her so. The thoughts she quietly contemplates to herself are special to her and to anyone with whom she shares them. Most of all, she is simply herself. There is no one else like her, and she is irreplaceable - just like each of us.My hope is that each person who sees this piece finds some special meaning in it for themselves as well.- B.B. Rich

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Taking Care of OurselvesI've written a little bit before about the need for rest, to recover and avoid burnout. This drawing follows that theme. The lady in the royal purple gown, gold accessories, and gilded wings is a fairy queen. But instead of sitting on her throne, she's sitting on an isolated branch in a quiet part of the forest. Why? Because even with all her responsibilities, she needs to take time for herself. She needs peace, quiet, and time for her own thoughts. A moment of repose.Really, this is true of all of us. Most of us have something in our lives that puts a heavy weight of responsibility on us. We do our best to handle things, but sometimes we work a little too hard. We find ourselves living at an extreme, frantic pace, and we're convinced that this is the way it has to be. We ignore all the signals our mind and body send us, warning us that it's unsustainable. And eventually, we burn out.Personally I've found that I have to take the time for rest, even if I have to force it. When heavy things are weighing on me, it's even more important to take proper care of myself. You know, the usual things that you read everywhere: Eat healthy food (and enough food, for that matter); get the right amount of sleep; exercise; spend time with friends and family; enjoy a hobby or two (preferably something that isn't connected to making money). Those things sound like old cliches at this point, but they're repeated so often for a reason: They work.Creatively, I've come to learn that whenever I finish a piece of art, my mind seems to naturally go into a rest mode. I might go several days, maybe even a week or so, without any significant drawing. That sounds horrifying to the hustle/grind mentality, and I used to be terrified of it too. When I tried to force myself to create during those times, I just couldn't, and I was afraid that I'd never be able to draw again. Just like with creative block, every time felt like the first time. And just like with creative block, it's always temporary, and after a good recharge, it all comes back to me.It took awhile for me to learn that, but once I did, it was amazing for my mental health and well-being. If at all possible, whatever your circumstances are, please try to take the time to rest and take care of yourself. Even just 15 minutes or a half hour is better than nothing. (I'm giving this advice to myself as much as anyone else).- B.B. Rich

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