Today we’d like to introduce you to Britney Penouilh.
Britney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I have been able to hold a pencil, I have been drawing. At age 12, I took a class called Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain, which taught me to see the world in LINES and SHADOWS with TEXTURE and DIMENSION. Pottery, stained glass, and sculpture were skills I acquired in high school, and naturally, I went on to study art in college.
At the University of New Orleans, I won the Overture of Cultural Seasons Award and the Ernest and Shirley Svenson Drawing Competition, but my attention would soon be split between art and geology. I loved studying the history of the earth, how continents have formed, and how the land continues to change today. The history of the Earth is the ultimate human history and it was inspiring to study rocks and crystals millions of years old. I worked in a geology lab for a year before fully realizing the subject is better served as my muse. Now, I am making paintings and sculptures about the Earth – how the landscape and natural disasters affect our reality.
Recently, I became a recipient of the Mojave National Preserve’s Artist-in-Residence Program. For one month I will live in the Mojave desert, create a body of work and exhibit a solo show March/April 2019. All the work will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds will support the national preserve.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing truly rewarding in this life comes easy. I moved to Los Angeles from New Orleans in October of 2017.
Having navigated the New Orleans art scene for most of my life, I wanted to grow beyond what was available to me there. A few commissions and local interest in my work is what initially brought me to Los Angeles. But after a few months, increasing access to international artists, galleries, and museums – I committed to moving here. There have been many challenges along the way. At times, I have felt a sense of divine timing with the synchronicity of certain events.
Other times have been nothing short of tragic. But they say, with great risks come great rewards. Being new to this city, I am focused on building meaningful relationships within my community, among other artists, curators, collectors, etc. If I were not up for the challenge (all the ups and downs), I would not be here.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Britney Penouilh – what should we know?
With universities studies in New Orleans, Greece, and Japan and artist residencies in New York, North Carolina, and Alaska — travel and exploration is integral to my work. My work has been exhibited nationally, and privately collected from New York to Los Angeles. With infinite monologues on physics, geology, art, philosophy, religion and time; the work comprises of mixed media landscape paintings of geological systems and sculptures made of casted figures, Plexiglas etchings and found objects.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Being able to connect with people on a visceral and emotional level. Despite my deep thoughts and philosophies that go into creating the work, the visual experience is the first impression. I am compelled to make work that is aesthetically interesting but carries forth an idea without being too literal and too obscure.
I aim to create a visual dialogue that is accessible and engaging, and slowly pulls you down the rabbit hole from which the work was created.
Pricing:
- Prices for paintings and sculptures range from $200 – $8,000.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1820 Industrial Street Los Angeles, CA
- Website: britneypenouilh.com
- Phone: 504.462.0911
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @britneypenouilh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/britney.penouilh
Image Credit:
Joshua Goodell
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