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Brianna Noble's work has traditionally focused on their existence in their surroundings, community, and society. Noble's long-term goal in art-making is to, "just paint something pretty." The work has recently made a change that focuses on the figure in their environment without outside judgment. It is a step toward the goal while also dealing with the everlasting assumptions placed on a Black, skinny, femme body.
Published on March 2nd, 2026. Artist responses collected in months previous.
Was pursuing your creative work a calling for you? How do you define calling within your practice? Share a concise definition and a moment when this felt most true.
I’ve been drawing since I was a child, I figured the only thing I’m most often interested in is art, so I went to college for it and continuously, unconsciously keep it active in my life. I don’t know exactly when it started but it’s been one of the few constants. It’s always been The Way. I’ve considered stopping and somehow even in those moments I still created. I don’t know if it’s a calling or just… is. I suppose I’m reassured it’s my calling because of the responses I receive from people I intend for it to be familiar to, it’s a reminder my work is greater than myself.
What does a successful career in the arts look like to you today? Describe how you measure success now and note any shifts from earlier in your career.
A successful year to me, I feel accomplished in what I’ve done. I feel like I’ve created or at least started any and every idea I’ve been attached to. I likely in my past determined success by how much my work was shown publicly, or how much I’ve been involved in the art world. I think now, after having many a time not feeling successful, I can safely say it’s determined by how honest and gentle I’ve been able to be with myself. I accomplish what I know I would be proud of and do as many things as I can that excite me.
How are you kind to yourself in your art practice? (Include one or two concrete examples such as boundaries, rest, or studio routines.)
I meet myself where I’m at, as best I can, whenever I need to. If I feel I don’t have the energy to set up to paint, I’ll draw on my iPad. If I feel like painting but I don’t have new canvas, I’ll find a scrap or retired painting that could use a new purpose. I don’t pressure myself unless I have a deadline. Even in the moments when I have the pressure of a deadline, I allow as many of my newfound ideas that I can actually act on. I know some of my best ideas come from the pressure so I do my best to find the balance and not put all of the stakes on the end. I feel the lesson I’m teaching myself is to push myself to newer levels while forgiving myself when I feel I couldn’t show up.
What impact do you hope your work has on others? Name the response you hope to spark and who you most want to reach.
Truthfully, honestly, I want Black, Brown, queer, femme, young, and/or old, people to have plenty of ways to see themselves. I know I cannot be the example, and I don’t want to be, but I hope anyone by those labels can see a safe space and imagine it for themselves. I want especially Black femmes to feel and know a gentle and caring home and community isn’t fantasy, we all deserve it. It is attainable and I want my work to serve as a reminder.
Do you have any rituals or spiritual practices that you integrate into your daily life as an artist? If relevant, mention frequency, timing, or how the practice supports your work.
I’m not much of a ritual or spiritual person. I will say, when I feel I’m onto a new idea that I’ve been thinking about for a while, I work out multiple variations of it. There could be a few sketches, a few paintings of it, notes written about it, and I decide if it should be a painting, drawing, or as of recently, a digital painting. Sometimes, the final artwork just doesn’t come to fruition (yet). I give everything it’s moment and time with the same amount of attention and care.
Was pursuing your creative work a calling for you? How do you define calling within your practice? Share a concise definition and a moment when this felt most true.
I’ve been drawing since I was a child, I figured the only thing I’m most often interested in is art, so I went to college for it and continuously, unconsciously keep it active in my life. I don’t know exactly when it started but it’s been one of the few constants. It’s always been The Way. I’ve considered stopping and somehow even in those moments I still created. I don’t know if it’s a calling or just… is. I suppose I’m reassured it’s my calling because of the responses I receive from people I intend for it to be familiar to, it’s a reminder my work is greater than myself.
What does a successful career in the arts look like to you today? Describe how you measure success now and note any shifts from earlier in your career.
A successful year to me, I feel accomplished in what I’ve done. I feel like I’ve created or at least started any and every idea I’ve been attached to. I likely in my past determined success by how much my work was shown publicly, or how much I’ve been involved in the art world. I think now, after having many a time not feeling successful, I can safely say it’s determined by how honest and gentle I’ve been able to be with myself. I accomplish what I know I would be proud of and do as many things as I can that excite me.
How are you kind to yourself in your art practice? (Include one or two concrete examples such as boundaries, rest, or studio routines.)
I meet myself where I’m at, as best I can, whenever I need to. If I feel I don’t have the energy to set up to paint, I’ll draw on my iPad. If I feel like painting but I don’t have new canvas, I’ll find a scrap or retired painting that could use a new purpose. I don’t pressure myself unless I have a deadline. Even in the moments when I have the pressure of a deadline, I allow as many of my newfound ideas that I can actually act on. I know some of my best ideas come from the pressure so I do my best to find the balance and not put all of the stakes on the end. I feel the lesson I’m teaching myself is to push myself to newer levels while forgiving myself when I feel I couldn’t show up.
What impact do you hope your work has on others? Name the response you hope to spark and who you most want to reach.
Truthfully, honestly, I want Black, Brown, queer, femme, young, and/or old, people to have plenty of ways to see themselves. I know I cannot be the example, and I don’t want to be, but I hope anyone by those labels can see a safe space and imagine it for themselves. I want especially Black femmes to feel and know a gentle and caring home and community isn’t fantasy, we all deserve it. It is attainable and I want my work to serve as a reminder.
Do you have any rituals or spiritual practices that you integrate into your daily life as an artist? If relevant, mention frequency, timing, or how the practice supports your work.
I’m not much of a ritual or spiritual person. I will say, when I feel I’m onto a new idea that I’ve been thinking about for a while, I work out multiple variations of it. There could be a few sketches, a few paintings of it, notes written about it, and I decide if it should be a painting, drawing, or as of recently, a digital painting. Sometimes, the final artwork just doesn’t come to fruition (yet). I give everything it’s moment and time with the same amount of attention and care.
Find Brianna Noble on Instagram
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