In this captivating interview, we delve into the life and artistic journey of Brady Austin, an emerging artist and model with roots in a small town in South Carolina. From his childhood dreams of travelling the world to his experiences studying abroad and living in dynamic cities like Paris and Los Angeles, Brady shares his inspirations, challenges, and aspirations. We also explore the relevance of nudity in Austin’s life and how he portrays it in his art, along with his insights on keeping passion in a relationship. Join us as we uncover how his background, creative drive, and passion for both art and modelling shape his unique perspective and vibrant body of work.
Photography by Tyler Matthew Oyer | Interview by Adrian Gomis Exposito
The images are cropped/ made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummyzine Issue Six
Photo story by SASHA OLSEN
ADRIAN GOMISE EXPOSITO. Hi Brady!! We’re so happy to have you and really excited to get to know you a bit more. How are you?
BRADY AUSTIN. I’m doing well! Happy to be talking with you.
A.G.E. To start, could you tell us about your roots? How was it like growing up in South Carolina and how do you remember your childhood?
B.A.Yes, I’m originally from a small town in South Carolina. I have four siblings and grew up with a lot of dogs. My days were filled with soccer, drawing, and daydreaming about travelling the world. When I think about my childhood, I remember the happy and sad times that shaped me into the person I am today. I also remember the sad little boy who had such huge dreams, and I aim to celebrate that little boy in everything I do.
A.G.E. Art is a talent that usually comes when we’re born. I believe you studied Fine Art and studied abroad to keep growing as an artist. Where does that creative drive, talent and passion for art come from?
B.A. The creative passion has always been inside of me. I was always obsessed with colours and making drawing cards for my parents. I think having four siblings and being a twin allowed me to escape into my own world and craft it exactly how I wanted. I also grew up watching Disney Channel religiously and dreamed of being a superstar like Miley Cyrus.
A.G.E. You also mentioned playing soccer at the University of Chicago. Would you consider yourself a sporty guy too?
B.A. Yes, I played soccer for almost 21 years and still play in a few adult leagues in Los Angeles. I’ve never followed professional sports much, but I’m super competitive and filled with energy, so sports are a great outlet for me.
A.G.E. What was it like moving from South Carolina to Paris, and then to Los Angeles? How have these different environments influenced your artistic style and perspective?
B.A. I went from South Carolina to Chicago, then to Paris, and I’m currently in LA. Each place is vastly different from the other. The variety has allowed me to appreciate nature in a small town, big city excitement, and beautiful historic cities where art and culture are integrated into the way of life. Being in these environments has really allowed me to explore, but they have also allowed me to understand and stay true to myself. The fluidity it takes to go back and forth from such vastly different places has really impacted my “fluid” style of painting. Above all, I think the people in these cities have allowed me to understand different ways of life and opened my mind to new worlds.
A.G.E. What motivated your decision to pursue a year of art school at the Paris College of Art? How did this experience contribute to your growth, both personally and as an artist?
B.A. I really needed to get out of America. My grandfather was in the military, and I remember hearing his stories about being in France and Germany when he was deployed, and that ignited something in me as a child. I started to study French in university, and learning the language really jump-started the whole journey. That experience has opened many doors personally and professionally. At 24 years old, I can speak another language and live in a foreign country across the world. I have a newfound confidence that has manifested both personally and professionally.
A.G.E. Balancing between being a painter and a model can be quite unique. How do you find harmony between these two creative pursuits, and what influenced you to pursue a modelling career as well?
B.A. Painting and modelling go hand in hand for me. I started painting seriously in high school and have always been drawn to portraiture. I take pictures of my subjects and spend time crafting their faces on a canvas. In a similar vein, modelling is all about creating a beautiful shot with a photographer—I just happen to be on the other side of the camera. Modelling was a passion I’ve always had. I spent years secretly watching America's Next Top Model and practising in the reflection of my TV screen during commercials. Both of these creative pursuits are extremely intimate; they help me share a slice of my wild mind and allow my free spirit to take flight.
A.G.E. Living in Los Angeles, a city known for its vibrant art scene, how has the local culture and community impacted you?
B.A. I have only been in Los Angeles for about 10 months, so everything is still extremely new. I have always loved the natural landscape and vegetation here. This ‘paradise’ is a large source of inspiration for my first solo show that is taking place in Paris during the summer of 2025. The city also has an interesting tension between its intensely grunge parts and its more beautiful paradise-like parts that I have been exploring more through my work.
A.G.E. Let’s talk about Yummy. You shot a really stunning photographic story with Tyler Matthew Oyer where we see you in a bathtub outdoors. Where did this shoot take place and what was it like for you to pose naked outdoors? Tell us about your experience.
B.A. This shoot actually took place in Tyler’s home in LA. Posing naked is nothing new for me. It’s so strange that nudity is so taboo in today's day and age. Being in my natural form in nature only makes sense to me. Tyler really celebrated me and my body, and it was such a great experience. There were some construction workers next door who got a special sneak peek.
A.G.E. What does the word “yummy” mean to you?
B.A. The word “yummy” means so many things. Delicious, scrumptious, and good taste, it satisfies a desire but leaves you wanting more with time. It’s not overindulgent, but just the right amount.
A.G.E. Going back to the concept of nudity, I wonder how comfortable are you with it. Is it something you do often, being naked?
B.A. Yes, I am extremely comfortable with nudity. I sleep naked, I lounge around the house naked. My boyfriend and I travelled around Europe and managed to find a nude beach in almost every country we went to. I love to celebrate my body and I feel most connected to the natural world when I’m nude. I also have no desire to represent a clothed body in my paintings. Clothes are so boring to paint. I love flesh and the endless possibilities it can be interpreted with colour and brushstrokes.
A.G.E. Do you think sexuality is a social construct? How do you approach sexuality and how do you express yourself?
B.A. Sexuality is definitely a social construct, just like gender. They are social constructs used to uplift certain groups of people while oppressing others. I identify as a gay man because it’s an easy way for society to understand certain parts of my life. I’m from a somewhat religious family in South Carolina, so having a label makes it much easier to describe my life to them. Personally, I view people for who they are and not their genitalia. I am attracted to energy above all and just want to surround myself with good people.
A.G.E. Regarding physical attraction, what’s the first thing you notice in another person? For example, what do you love the most about your boyfriend?
B.A. The first thing I notice about people is their eyes, mouths, and hair. Eyes are the holders of all the stories someone has been through. Mouths are just sexy to me in a similar way to how hair is. My boyfriend has the most magically beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. I also love his slightly imperfect teeth that make him feel real to me. He is such an extremely beautiful person that I celebrate his imperfections the most because there's a certain rawness and truth that lies within them. Most of all, my boyfriend's heart, kindness, and inner child are what I love most about him. I love that we can be kids together.
A.G.E. A couple’s life can be tricky sometimes, although the fun times are always the best. How do you keep the passion in your relationship?
B.A. The passion in our relationship is always there. Neither one of us wants to limit the other's happiness. We both have the same love of wanting to explore the depths of the world in the singular life we have. When lying in bed, we pull the covers over our heads and “escape into our own little world” and are very present with each other. My boyfriend is also a muse for my paintings, which I know he secretly loves. Also, a good meal, a weekend trip with the dog, or dancing on a Friday night is always sure to ignite things.
A.G.E. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as an artist? How do you envision your artistic practice evolving in the future, and are there any specific milestones, related to art or your personal life that you hope to achieve?
B.A. I am very proud to say that I have my first professional group show in the heart of Paris this summer, followed by my first solo show in Paris in the summer of 2025, and I will be co-curating a show in Paris in 2026. These are all super exciting, and I really hope to be signed by a gallery in the future. My favourite museum is the Centre Pompidou, and it is a dream of mine to show work there. I also dream of meeting and making work for and with Miley Cyrus. She has been my idol since I was a young closeted boy in South Carolina. Aside from painting, I would love to do more modelling. I have never done a runway show and would love to do a show for Fashion Week. Having a brand campaign is another dream of mine. I am also interested in acting and making music as well; I would love to be in a film someday and to release an album. I hope my art allows me to travel the world and live a crazy beautiful life. Above all, I want to be happy. My artist's motto is “Be kind, keep your heart full, and your soul pure.” I hope when my day comes to dance with the stars that I have lived this motto and spread love in all the ways that I created and interacted with the world and its people.
