Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brett Herman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brett , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking a risk always feels like a leap of faith, and for many people, that uncertainty can be enough to keep them from ever trying. But I’ve learned that taking risks is essential—especially in the world of art, where pushing boundaries and stepping into the unknown can lead to amazing outcomes. For me, one of the most significant risks I took came right after high school when I made the decision to leave everything familiar behind and move to California to chase my dreams. At the time, I had already won a New York Scholastic Art Award and completed a summer course at the Denver Institute of Art, but my focus was on music—I wanted to play metal and hardcore music, something I had been passionate about for years. But deep down, I knew there was more to my creative journey than just music. I had always felt a strong pull toward visual art—tattoos, paintings, sculptures—and especially the old Dutch masters from the 1400s that I would get lost in at museums. The raw emotion and depth of those pieces fascinated me, and I realized that art, in all its forms, was my true calling.

When I moved to California, I didn’t know exactly where to begin. I remember being both excited and terrified about starting fresh in a new city, away from my family—thankfully, I had my friends with me. I was also very intimidated by the idea of starting as an artist after my band had split up. Where was I to begin? Should I leave my mentor’s side and open my own shop? Should I reach out to publishers with my book ideas? Should I contact galleries—even though I wasn’t sure if I was qualified? Doubt and fear weighed on me, but ambition and inspiration pushed me forward. In those moments, I realized that if I didn’t try, I’d never know what was possible. So, I took the risk—fully aware of how uncertain the path ahead was.

To make it all happen, I had to work hard, and I mean really hard. I juggled three jobs just to afford my apprenticeship, often working 18-hour days and barely getting enough sleep. I remember those Saturday-night drives home, when exhaustion would set in after working a day shift, followed by a graveyard shift on Friday, then another day shift on Saturday. Could I keep pushing forward? Thankfully, my mom would answer the phone and chat with me, helping me stay awake and ensuring I made it home safely. Sometimes, you take the risk because you know you’ve got to keep going to reach your goal. I had a fire within me, and I couldn’t afford to let it burn out. Those early struggles taught me a lot about resilience. Take that chance. Don’t stay in your comfort zone, or you’ll never know what could have been. I realized that, for me, the risk was worth it—because without that leap, I would have missed out on everything that came after. If I hadn’t made that drive, my life would look completely different now, and I’m so grateful I didn’t let doubt stop me.

Fast forward to today, and I can look back on a career I’ve built from those early days of uncertainty. I’ve earned multiple awards, had my artwork exhibited in over 100 shows, had the honor of being featured in three solo exhibitions, appeared on interviews and podcasts, been published in magazines, and even had books published with my work in them. I once thought these things were out of reach, but by taking risks and pushing through the fear of failure, I’ve accomplished them. I think about all the incredible people I’ve met along the way, all the lessons I’ve learned, and the memories I’ve created—and I’m proud of what I’ve built. But even now, with all of that, I still feel like I’m just getting started.

The journey of being an artist is filled with struggles. There are times when it feels overwhelming, or maybe even underwhelming. But then I remind myself of the privilege it is to create—to have the opportunity to share my art with others and to see it resonate with people. It’s a beautiful thing, and I never take it for granted. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.

While I’ve achieved a lot, I know there’s so much more to do. Recently, I made another big decision: after 22 years of being away, I moved back to my home state to reconnect with my roots and start the next chapter of my journey. I’ve set new goals for myself, like buying a home and establishing a strong foundation here as both a fine artist and a tattoo artist. But more than that, I’m determined to create something that will live on beyond me: I dream of opening my own art studio—a space where I can continue to create and teach—and eventually develop a dark art gallery and museum right here in Colorado.

I know these are ambitious goals, and the risk involved is huge. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that this is exactly the kind of risk I’ve always been drawn to—the kind that forces growth and challenges me to think bigger than I ever have before. It’s a bold move, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. I’ve learned that, for me, the journey is about embracing the unknown, stepping into uncertainty, and trusting that the chances I take on myself will only lead to more incredible moments and new opportunities. Plus, you want to mix in a good attitude and keep up the hard work. Looking ahead to the next five years, I see even more challenges, but the only thing I know for sure is that the magic happens when you take that risk.

Brett , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an artist through and through, and I’ve been passionate about creating as long as I can remember. From drawing animals out of magazines to sketching characters from my favorite movies, art has always been a driving force in my life. I was fortunate to have inspiring art teachers early on, and I found that I excelled when learning new techniques. My artistic journey was further nurtured by my family—my grandfather was an exceptional sculptor, my father is a master woodworker and model builder, my aunt was a talented painter, and my brother is basically good at everything he touches! Growing up surrounded by such talent instilled in me an innate discipline toward perfection in my creative process, which I now recognize as part of my family’s “Herman” gene. I apply this same focus and attention to detail to my work, whether it’s designing, fine-tuning a business strategy, or creating art.
A lot of my growth has come from watching others—sometimes learning what not to do can be just as valuable as learning what to do. There’s an abundance of great resources out there today, and I’ve made a point to keep learning. Recently, I’ve been diving into the techniques of the old masters, experimenting with underpainting and grisaille layers in my acrylics. I think back to when I would hunt for references, even creating collages to build ideas. Even in my early work, I’d mix media into my paintings, giving them texture and complexity. I officially dove into painting on canvas in 2006, and while I’ve gotten much better over the years, I’m still striving for true mastery. I know it’s a lifelong journey, and I’m committed to pushing myself forward.
The key to my success—and I believe the key to every painter’s success—is putting in the time. Sometimes, just sitting down and letting the work flow is the best way to discover that next great idea. But it’s not just about making great art; it’s also about staying humble and showing genuine care for the work you do and the people who appreciate it. When someone finds my art and says, “I’ve found my favorite artist,” or when someone wants to fill their walls—or their body—with my creations, it’s the ultimate reward. I’m truly grateful to be a painter, and I’m equally thankful that tattooing allows me to support other creatives. I often reinvest a good portion of my income into supporting fellow artists, even though my budget can be tight. But it’s worth it, because art is my life.
I live, eat, and breathe art—and sometimes, I wish there were more hours in the day. Despite the distractions, I keep learning, growing, and becoming more efficient in my practice. The more I dedicate to my craft, the greater the return—not just in financial terms, but in creative satisfaction. My drive to improve pushes me to achieve my goals, and I want my collectors to feel like their investment in my work is worthwhile. I’ve made a promise to myself to stay driven, avoid burnout, and stay inspired to create extraordinary work.
As an artist, knowledge is what creates value. Time and experience matter, and I’m committed to making that investment meaningful. I’m constantly pushing the envelope of my creativity, experimenting with new styles, while offering a variety of ways to collect my work. I’m particularly drawn to creepy and macabre imagery, but I also have a deep love for painting animals and the beauty of nature. You can view my portfolio on my website, where I’ve listed my accolades, past and upcoming exhibitions, press features, and links to past podcasts and interviews. There’s also a contact form—feel free to reach out if you’re interested in commissioning a piece!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation as an artist has been built on a foundation of hard work, consistency, and a deep commitment to bringing other creatives together. While my style may not resonate with everyone, I’ve always aimed to expand my artistic horizons and remain versatile in my creations. I believe it’s a fine line between finding your unique voice and not limiting yourself to just one type of art. Being well-rounded and consistently delivering high-quality work, from the art itself to the frames, merchandise, and overall presentation, has been key to my growth. I’ve always refused to settle for shortcuts or cheapened versions of my work, and I think that dedication to excellence has helped solidify my reputation.

Building my brand has been an ongoing process of reaching new creatives and pushing myself to outdo my last creation. Every project, whether it’s a commission, a gallery show, or a piece of merchandise, is an opportunity to focus on making the client or collector as happy with the final result as possible. One of the proudest moments in my career was publishing a series of books, where I was fortunate enough to feature the work of over 300 incredible artists. It’s safe to say that through this project, I’ve built some truly meaningful relationships with fellow creatives—many of whom I deeply admire. These connections have played a huge role in shaping who I am as an artist.

I’ve always believed that collaboration and mutual support are essential to growing in this field. Whether it’s working together on a single piece or bringing artists together for a shared love of the craft, I make it a priority to shine the light on others as much as I do on myself. A big part of building my reputation has been about lifting up the people around me, acknowledging their talents, and celebrating their successes. I’ve seen firsthand that when you treat people right and work to build others up, you create a community of growth, support, and respect. That energy comes back to you in ways you can’t even imagine.

The life of an artist is often romanticized, but it’s full of trials and tribulations. If you want to improve, you have to put in the hours—draw over and over again, look at your work critically, and ask yourself what you’re trying to say with each piece. Sometimes the meaning emerges after the intuitive process, but it always comes back to the fact that true growth comes from hard work and dedication. I believe in pushing past the easy route, challenging myself, and never letting complacency set in.

One of my core beliefs is that art is about power in numbers. When we lift each other up and celebrate each other’s victories, we can overcome anything. This mindset is integral not only to my own creative journey but to the community of artists I’ve been fortunate enough to build relationships with. We’re stronger together, and that collective energy fuels my passion to keep pushing forward.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

The world of social media can feel overwhelming and constantly changing, and I’ll admit, it’s a bit of a confusing landscape to navigate. Somehow, though, I’ve managed to build a solid following, but keeping up with the ever-evolving algorithm feels like a full-time job in itself. There are days when I long for simpler times, when it felt like things were less cluttered and more organic, but I’ve learned that embracing social media is a necessary part of being an artist in the modern world. It’s not always easy for me to keep up with the pace, and I’ll admit, my enthusiasm for sharing my life online comes in waves.

But here’s the thing: despite the frustrations, social media is a powerful tool for getting my work in front of people. I’ve built a great following on platforms that allow me to share my art with a global audience, but I’ve also realized that managing this has its own set of challenges. People’s attention spans are shorter than ever, and my patience for something that eats into my time for creating art has been tested. That’s when I came to an important conclusion: I needed help. Successful enterprises don’t usually run solo, so I enlisted some assistance to manage the behind-the-scenes work—like organizing files, updating business strategies, and handling the many moving parts of my brand. This has freed up more of my time to focus on the things that matter most: creating art.

I also started a Patreon page, which has been a great way to connect with my supporters in a more intimate and meaningful way. While it’s easy to think of it as just another thing to manage, I’ve realized that the value I provide to my patrons—who are paying me directly—deserves my attention. But honestly, artists shouldn’t feel pressure to separate their work from their social media following. If you’re getting business from Instagram or any other platform, that’s paying you too! Social media and platforms like Patreon are essential parts of the strategy I’ve tailored to fit my business goals. But like any other business, it takes time, effort, and consistency to make it work.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that building a brand on social media requires more than just posting consistently—it’s about setting a strategy, building a team, and focusing on what it really takes to grow. I don’t want to be an influencer or a “social media personality.” I’m an artist, and my priority is to share my passion and connect with people who genuinely appreciate my work. That said, I know I have to adapt to the times and figure out how best to do that. People want to feel good, they want to trust that you’ll do quality work, and they want to be informed about the process. It takes time to build trust, and that’s something I remind myself of regularly.

My advice to other artists—and really anyone navigating social media—is to stay true to yourself and keep an eye on what others are doing. It’s hard to be the “coolest” person on the block forever, but when your light starts to dim, don’t be discouraged. Keep working toward your next goal. If you’re not getting the engagement you expect, ask yourself: are you staying authentic? Are you giving your audience what they want? The truth is, I don’t think it matters as much what the “algorithms” want—what matters is that you create your own path and let the right people find you.

I also know that consistency is key, but if you don’t have the time, that can be tough. It’s frustrating to have over 11,000 followers but only get a handful of likes if you haven’t been posting regularly. But I’ve learned that, at the end of the day, social media isn’t just about numbers—it’s about relationships. Building real, genuine connections and fostering trust with your audience is what makes all the difference. I always tell other artists to just reach out and say “hi”—we need more real interactions, not just emojis. Appreciate your supporters and let them know you care. Never stop learning and adapting, and most importantly, never stop creating.

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