Meet Brett Cassort | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brett Cassort and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brett, how do you think about risk?
Risk has played a very big part in my life and my success as an artist and without it I would simply not be in the position I am today. After college back in New York I took a job at a hydro-electric facility up on the St. Lawrence River. I completed a 4 yr apprenticeship as a Millright Mechanic/Machinist and went on to do that for over a decade. At that point I was a self-taught hobby artist, drawing and painting, experimenting with different materials and medium in my spare time. I was very creative and worked with my hands in both my career and my artwork.

A few years into my career I started having the same thoughts playing over and over in my mind. I had reached the point where there wasn’t much room for growth and opportunity unless I jumped into the management world. I had a great job with great benefits and retirement, but it was in the union/management/political world and I knew that I would not be fulfilled putting my life and career on cruise control for 25-30 more years until retirement. Even though I was in a great situation, it just wasn’t for me so it took a couple of years of planning and I left everything and moved to Southern California to pursue an investment opportunity. Fast forward a couple of years that didn’t go as planned and I was at a crossroads in life.

That is when I found the Kline Academy of Fine Art and the opportunity to get back into my artistic side studying under Cheryl Kline for almost 5 yrs.

So for me, yes, Risk has been a big part of my life. Some calculated, some not so much, but giving up security and eventually jumping into the artworld has definitely tested my anxiety threshold at times. My mantra has really been to bring anxiety, fear, and doubt along for the ride, just don’t let them drive the car!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work, specifically my road trip collection, is very much a representation of my journey and I have encountered so many people that relate. We’re all on this road of life going somewhere, chasing something, and navigating obstacles along the way. I’ve had conversations with people about how my work has helped them grieve the loss of a loved one, how my work has given them hope in dark times dealing with mental health crisis, or seeing the light in my paintings has given them strength to look forward to a brighter future.

I never thought about that impact on people until I started having those conversations and I realized that is how I’ve coped with some hard times in my own life. When I paint I am bringing my own personal struggles into a piece. I lost both my parents 18 months apart back in 2016-2018, I also lost my dog of 10 yrs in that span and helped my siblings clean out our childhood home to sell it off. So, adding all that to my own life altering decisions and risk taking, I’ve been around grief, anxiety, depression, panic attacks and stress enough to draw from those experiences. Hearing that my work can help people dealing with similar hardships in life gives me hope that I’m doing something good in this world to help people.

I just keep grinding away, putting the work in, one foot in front of the other and trying to stay in my lane. There’s a lot of noise out there if you choose to listen. Like the roads in my paintings I stay curious and wonder what’s down that path waiting for me? Be curious and have a sense of adventure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s a tough one because there’s so much! Recently I’ve been very interested in the “Hidden” places and I want to check out some of them. Downtown LA has quite a few little gems to see. To name a few, the Bradbury Building, The Wolves Bar, Clifton’s, the Pershing Square Building and St. Vincent Court. While your in DTLA check out the Basquiat Exhibit at The Grand LA, maybe Disney Hall for a concert. Museum wise the Broad or LACMA. Universal Studios is fun and the Warner Brothers Tour is usually a must for out of towners, that’s usually a hit. A game depending on time of year with all the great professional sports teams we have here in L.A. Of course the beach in Santa Monica or Malibu. Food wise, whatever your hungry for LA has it for you!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely have a village for sure! My family for starters. I was fortunate that both my parents Dave & Mary saw my artistic efforts start to get recognized before they both passed several years ago. I get a ton of support and encouragement from my siblings, Rick, Melissa & Tony, as well as my Aunt Colleen & Uncle Kevin and the support from the rest of my family, there’s a lot! Sam, who’s my rock and has always been in my corner, My mentor Cheryl Kline and the Kline Academy of Fine Art, Nathan Quinton Sebakijje (Photographer) and Amanda Reyes at Art Printer. I definitely have to give a shoutout to my friend Effie who first gave me the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. That book changed my life for the better. I am very thankful for everyone that has been on this path with me including the many artists out there that share ideas, tips, tricks, and everything else that this journey of being an artist throws at us.

Website: www.brettcassort.com

Instagram: @brettcassortfineart

Linkedin: /brettcassortfineart

Facebook: /brettcassortfineart

Image Credits
Nathan Quinton Sebakijje @nsqphotos