Bryson Payne, born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, discovered his passion for art at a young age. Although he spent much of his childhood playing a variety of sports, creativity remained the constant that shaped his life, he said.
Now a senior visual arts major and baseball player at Dillard University, Payne continues to pursue his love for art.
Payne was the quiet student in middle school, losing himself in doodles on notebook margins. He found drawing very therapeutic, allowing him to dissociate from the harshness of the real world, he said.
As he grew, his art grew with him.
For Payne, art is a form of creative expression to share how he views the world; using it to say the words that he cannot.
“Art is something that has stuck with me for a long time,” Payne said. “I don’t really talk a lot when it comes to meeting people, but I communicate through my work.”
When he started at Dillard, Payne didn’t know if he wanted to pursue an art major because the field is often looked down upon or not viewed as a practical career, he said. After seeing numerous of his peers get recognized for their works, Payne gained the confidence to do what he loved, he continued.
“Seeing all my peers get recognized or praised for their work, I said ‘Okay, it is possible,’” Payne said.
Spray paint is Payne’s primary medium, though he also works in drawing and oil painting. He accredited his art style to his impatience. The style allows him to easily fit mistakes.
“I have a big patience problem,” Payne laughed. “With spray, I am able to self-correct when I make mistakes versus regular paint, where you have to wait for it to dry to go back over it.”
He draws most of his inspiration from cartoons and comic books, like the early 2000s DC Comics hero show he’s been into recently, Batman Beyond. Generally, his inspiration comes from things that he likes.
Payne has spent his college career not only creating art but also sharing it with the world. He serves as an ambassador for Blick Art Materials, has partnered with respected regional brands like Main Squeeze Juice Co., and earned a place in the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s 12th Annual HBCU Showcase, on view until Oct. 25.
“I give big thanks to God for everything,” Payne shared.
Still, the journey comes with challenges. At times, Payne admits he feels he isn’t doing enough to establish himself in the art world, he said.
“I have had a lot of success early on. I’m just starting to put my work out there, I’ve gotten in contact with different people,” he explained. “I just think my problem is, I need to understand that it is a slow process.”
Like many artists, Payne also faces creative blocks. When inspiration doesn’t come naturally, he searches for it in new places or simply forces himself to sit down until the paint begins to spray onto the canvas.
While remaining thankful for every opportunity he’s already received, looking ahead, Payne dreams of collaborating with Bape, an artist and brand he admires.
On Sept. 20, he will join the HBCU Art Showcase Panel Discussion at the Ogden Museum, marking another step in his growing artistic journey.
“To everyone that supports me, I really appreciate you,” Paine said. “None of this is possible without my family and, of course, my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.”
You can register to see Payne at the HBCU Art Showcase Panel Discussion here, and follow him and his artwork on social media here to keep up with his artistic journey.