Meet the Maker: Brycen Boland

Brycen Boland Art - Brycen is unapologetically colourful  

If you’ve wandered through the orange building along Sydney’s waterfront, chances are you’ve spotted Brycen Boland. Between his signature bright colours, vibrant and fun glasses and welcoming smile, he’s hard to miss. Step inside his shop and you’ll discover something incredible: walls filled with original artwork and shelves lined with handcrafted creations, each one made by Brycen himself. 

For Brycen, creating art isn’t just a career, it’s something he’s been doing for as long as he can remember. “I’ve always loved creating,” he says. 

After graduating from NSCAD University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Interdisciplinary Arts, Brycen began building his artistic voice through oil landscape paintings. Never one to stay in one single lane, he also explored abstract work, digital art and even experimented with natural dyes made from fruit and vegetables to create one-of-a-kind pieces.  

Weeks of 75 to 80 hours in the studio became the norm as he painted relentlessly, refined his techniques.

His work continued to evolve over the years, becoming more representational while always maintaining a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. 

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Like so many people, Brycen had to rethink his plans. Rather than stepping away from art, he leaned into it. 

He spent two summers teaching with Canadian Parents for French while dedicating nearly every spare moment to developing his art. From 2020 to 2025, Brycen balanced a part-time job at a local framing studio with countless weekends travelling to craft markets and festivals across Atlantic Canada. Every event was another opportunity to connect with people, learn what resonated and continue growing his business. 

"I don't drive, so I was loading 3-4 totes into family member's cars, taxis, or bus and traveling with my products all over. it was exhausting but rewarding." 

That persistence paid off. In June 2025, Brycen became a permanent vendor on the Sydney waterfront. Today, on busy cruise ship days, as many as 400 potential customers can walk through his shop, giving visitors from around the world a chance to take home a piece of Cape Breton created by a local artist. 

What makes Brycen’s shop especially unique is that just about everything inside is made by his own hands. His original art is only the beginning. The magnets, keychains and many of the keepsakes visitors browse are also handcrafted by Brycen, making every purchase a genuine piece of his creativity. 

Brycen reminds us that success rarely happens overnight. It is built through years of learning, adapting, long hours and commitment to doing what you love. 

Today, Brycen’s colourful studio on the waterfront stands as a testament to that perseverance. For visitors, it’s a chance to discover authentic Cape Breton art. For Brycen, it’s the result of years spent believing in his craft and never giving up on the dream of making art his life’s work. 

Visit his facebook page for more amazing examples of his work and make sure to Meet Brycen at the Fiddle.