Meet Bradford J. Salamon | Fine Artist and Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bradford J. Salamon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bradford J., what do you attribute your success to?
When I was a child, I felt something was going to happen to me in my life that would tell me how to live. Childhood, for me, was difficult and confusing. In my mid teens, I learned to play the drums, and when I joined a band I knew a creative life, in some form, was going to be for me. When I discovered I had some artistic talent, that was like a rope being thrown from a ship to a drowning man. I grabbed that rope and was determined to never let it go.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a child of divorced parents living in a rental house, money was always tight. Fear of how we would get by was real. I remember driving around with my Dad and seeing apartment complexes, and thinking, “I don’t want to live in one of those with a number on the door.”

Also, I felt somehow apart from most people, or I thought I saw the world differently than everybody else at some level. For some reason I can’t explain, I always thought that I would have something unique to offer. My culture when I was young was one of expression, through surfing, skateboarding and music. Individuality was encouraged from friends and, in many cases, adults. I always felt I would rather be admired or respected for my artistic output than my bank account.

However, as I got older, I realized that most people admire financial wealth above almost anything. If you live in a $10M home, and have a collection of vintage cars, and travel around the world, there are far more people who will appreciate that over someone who can paint well, or who have mastered a musical instrument. That reality continues to sadden me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If the person visiting was an artist, which accounts for most of my friends, I would check gallery openings and museum exhibitions. The Norton Simon in Pasadena is one of my favorite museums. The Huntington Library in San Marino is another one. I love to garden around my house, and the Huntington Library has some of the most unique and impressive world-class flora.

My family’s favorite restaurtant in town is Mikomi Sushi on Myrtle in Monrovia. As for ambiance and mood, I like taking collectors for a drink or meal to The Derby on Huntington Drive, that was founded in the 1930s. They have the deep oxblood-colored booths, four or five different fireplaces, and Ella Fitzgerald or Sinatra playing. The history of the Santa Anita Racetrack is evident in many places around town and The Derby is a great example.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Mrs. Foster was a godsend; she lived two doors down from the house we grew up in in Huntington Beach. My parents were divorced, and my mom was at work during the day, and so if my brothers and I needed anything we went to Mrs. Foster’s house. I didn’t have much confidence in adults back when I was a kid. Most adults were disappointing, mean or just boring to me. Mrs. Foster was always laughing and in a good mood, and she was always ready to make me a sandwich or get a piece of pie from the fridge. She was really the only adult for a while that gave me belief in Grown Ups. I remember that she taught me how to tell time on the clock over the kitchen table. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have had much of a chance of surviving my youth without her. I’m so grateful for this beautiful woman.

Website: https://bradfordjsalamon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfordjsalamon/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradford.salamon

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1mFvjpUHlcao1EAPLcEvQ

Other: Threads:

Image Credits
Photos and art by Bradford J. Salamon.