KL Bradfield
Artist

1) Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
Right now I sell outdoor patio furniture in Santa Clarita.  Boring I know!  But I’m lucky to be working for a friend I’ve known for years, and be creative there too.  I’m heading his online store site, launching in 2021 (design & function) so I’m happy I still get to be creative AND get paid for it.

2) How did you first become interested in art?
I’ll never forget my first real competitive art moment.  I was 5 years old (over 40 years ago), and another girl in my kindergarten class was coloring an image within the lines so beautifully.  I was amazed, and I knew I HAD to step up my game.  Unfortunately, I grew up in a very conservative home and art was never really encouraged.  It “didn’t pay the bills” my mom would say.  But a doctor, now a doctor job would be great and “pay the bills”.  It took many decades of me fiddling in different art mediums in secret, including my writing, before I was confident I could “pay the bills” and still enjoy creating art without hiding it from my family.  I’m currently working on a fiction novel while finishing up a short “film” entry for the Sweded Film Festival.

3) How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
The great thing about art is its interpretative nature.  Not everyone is going to like every story, poem, painting or sculpture and that’s okay.  So long as the artist is happy with their work, that’s all that matters.  And if an artist can inspire or affect just a few people with their creations, then it’s a success.  Some art is “uncomfortable” and I don’t think anyone should be scared to put that kind of work out there.  It’s truly a measure of a free world when two people can start a conversation and disagree about an art piece.  To me, that’s enrichment!  A few years back I served on the Art in Public Places Committee for the City of Burbank, and it was there I learned about the city ordinance requiring commercial builders to include public art with their projects.  That, in addition to the other wonderful projects the Cultural Arts Committee put out, and the communities around Burbank really have a lot of variety to explore art and artists.  Who else can say they posed with Batman (at the AMC theaters)?

4) If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
TRY IT!  Pick up a paintbrush, a camera, or even start writing something.  There might be a budding Picasso or Robert Frost out there waiting to let go and create something amazing.  At the very least, make some time to explore art, whether in the community or at a museum.  In these special times, check out online galleries if exhibits are closed to in-person visits.  Above all LET ART INTO YOUR LIFE!

To find out more about KL’s work, visit her website http://lineofswords.com/.