Pathfinders: Finding hope to believe in yourself

A conversation with artist Joe Bradford about resilience, flow, and pushing forward.

Jun 04, 2023

Dear Ones- One of the goals of this newsletter is to foster a creative, collaborative community. If you’d like to be interviewed or have your art included in our next community art share, fill out this form!

Joe Bradford is a talented, multi-disciplinary artist from Kansas City. He also happens to be my roommate and friend. Joe first moved into the third-floor attic of our house in 2019. I always had a vision for it to become a creative haven for the right person—Joe realized that vision and even more.

Watching him transform from the inside out over the last four years has been such a gift. He inspires me every day with his determination, optimism, and dedication to honing his art. I feel honored to share his story and work with you today.

Joe in the attic turned gallery/greenhouse!

One thing I’ve noticed as part of a creative community is that a lot of us struggle with the term “artist,” especially in reference to ourselves. I’m curious, what’s your definition of an artist?

When did you first start calling yourself one?

When it comes to the term “artist”, I always considered myself as one. As in, what I was meant to do in life. Having went to college for Graphic Design I thought that was my career path. But, like in some people's lives, we get knocked off course. Taking 10 years off from doing anything creative, I fell into the cycle of “life,” work a job to pay the bills.

Celebrating his first art show in Kansas City (Joe and I are in the middle!)

In that time, I did have a hard time with the fact that I was no longer on that path. As a young adult, you don’t always have the resources to cope with the “speed bumps” of life. The darkness of depression can be comforting. In the sense that once you’re there, many times it’s hard to find a way out. So, you give in and let it take its course.

I lost many years, but I strive everyday to overcome and believe that the light can be just as comforting.

I love that, letting the light be just as comforting. What obstacles or challenges did you have to overcome to believe in yourself and your work?

Some of my major obstacles and challenges, was just that “believing” in myself. I dealt with a lot of doubt and lack of courage to pursue my passion. When you have your life cut out and planned at a young age and it doesn’t turnout in your favor, that hope can be lost. “Hope” is something we all need to believe in ourselves.

Most of my earlier years of art were more of the character/creature type of work, having a pretty wild imagination as a kid. I also love just experimenting with different media, watercolor and acrylic were my favorites. Today, I have taken on a much different approach to art.

There was a time when I asked, “How would I make a name for myself?”

A old saying that a college teacher said, was “just drawing.” Not having all of the supplies at the time, I just took pen and paper and started drawing. After a while of drawing, I found myself in this trance, or something like a flow state. Where my hand was drawing, and my mind was clear of that voice. It was silent, what I have been trying to achieve. Peace of mind.

So, for about two and a half years, I woke up at 3:30 am, and drew. Then, started my day. After that, I really started to believe in what I was doing. There was a part of me that I was putting on the canvas or paper, my energy, and all of those negative and sometimes overwhelming thoughts.

What advice do you have for artists who don’t have the resources to pursue art full-time yet? How do you balance your creative life with paying the bills?

As a kid, I would say that I had two passions art, and cooking. I watched the Food Network constantly. Wanting to recreate some of their dishes. I can now do so, seeing as I manage a kitchen at a local brewery. It’s no fine dining, but maybe I’ll step into a proper kitchen. My passion is to make something beautiful in anyway, striving to make someone’s day. Or, leave a lasting impression.

Just saying, find something else you have a passion for, or have a liking to. That way you won't dread going into a 9 to 5. But, if that’s what you have to do, do it for a time. Set small goals, and always push forward. Lend a helping hand to your fellow human, if needed.

I’m aiming to go full-time, in time. With everything, it takes time. If you want something bad enough, you’ll always find a way. I have done a couple collaborations, and have had a handful of showings and pop ups. Every time I show my work, at any capacity, I always have a rush of true love, for myself and what I’m doing. So, I continue on to the next.

No matter how many hours I work, or how little sleep I get. I push forward.

You gather inspiration from your ancestors as well as a lot of tribal art from Africa and the Mayans. Who would your dream collaborator be?

I have anyways wanted to collaborate with Target. I don’t know why, but I’ve always loved their taste in modern design. I’m working on a ceramics collaboration, with Wandering Bud here in KC. Finishing up this project has made me realize that, I want to do more with my art.

That’s exciting! When you first moved in, you had just started doing sketches again. Going back to that ten year gap when you weren’t making any art, why did you stop and what made you pick it back up again?

Losing hope can stop anyone from going after their dream. That combined with, self-doubt, very low self-esteem, depression, and no clear vision of my future. I simply hated the person I was. I didn’t see a reason to follow my passion.

But, having taken all of that time off, I had that nagging voice in my head, the positive kind. That wanted me to follow my passion and dreams. So, I started listening. We all have a guiding spirit in us. Maybe our higher self, or power. Mine came in the sense that I needed to listen.

Having gone through the loss of my Granny back in 2018, she always told me, “follow your mind.” Not knowing the meaning, because I always thought it was, “follow your heart.” But, sometime after she passed, I found myself spiraling out of control. Seeking out answers to questions that I had. I started looking up the meaning of life, and every other question that came with it.

Then, 2020 happened.

Looking back, I say that time was a transformational time for me. Working three jobs and finding myself still stressing over money. I guess running the course of “life.” Then, BAM finding myself jobless, as many people were. That hope was once again taken.

I’ve told very few people this story, but I will start telling more. Someone just might need to hear it. Around a month into lockdown, I didn’t see a clear future. I like many, having that one last piece of control, I set a date to take the most precious thing, my own life.

News outlets should never be able to show one taking their own life. For the weak, and easily persuaded in a time of darkness, it should never be allowed. The date came, or maybe the day before. But, my family came in to restore hope.

The help came without me asking, but maybe I should’ve asked before coming to my own conclusion. From the bottom of my heart, I thank my family. For always showing up. In all the audiobooks, motivational speeches, and others’ stories. I found that we all have a purpose, and meaning for living.

I often go back to the thought of our chance of actually existing on this earth. One in Millions.

I’m so glad you’re still here! Life is precious and fragile and I think we can take that for granted, especially during dark times. I know the pandemic took a toll on all of us, whether from losing loved ones, jobs, homes, etc.

We’re all connected, even though it doesn’t always feel like it. Finding the courage to keep going in spite of the hard times can help others know they’re not alone.

Speaking of being connected, are there any projects or ways we can support you?

Other than the collaboration (with Wandering Bud) that I have coming out in June. I plan to take some time, and apply for a few grants, and residences. Just to see what happens. But, other than that. A vacation, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I feel myself needing to be around nature, a grounding session if you would say.

That sounds lovely, there’s something so restorative about spending time outside.

Someone once told me to live your life in a way to make your four-year-old self and your eighty-year-old self proud. Is there a piece of wisdom you’d offer your younger self? Your future self?

To my younger self… Joe, there is light out there you just have to believe to see it. The darkness may be comforting, but life is beautiful, and worth the while. No matter the outcome of any situation, you will come out on top. When it come to loss of a person close to you, you have to know that, it’s just the process of life. Show more love to the people that love you.

To my older self… I hope you have all that you have set out for. Sit back and appreciate the work that you have created. I hope the light shines, even come the darkest of days. No matter if you experienced something as great love in this lifetime, one could hope. Just know, you showed up.

Do you have a question for Joe or want to connect? Please support him by leaving a comment, buying his art, following him on Instagram, or reaching out for a collaboration!

Let’s build a thriving, collaborative community, together!