Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridgette Duran.
Bridgette, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well, I actually didn’t get my start in art until later in life. I’m not sure if I was super artistic as a kid, if I was my parents never pushed me to explore that aspect of myself. So I was left to my own devices to come to that conclusion on my own, and it happened with some time. I was creative and doodled in high school, but I did show some interest in the art because the only classes I was good at were Film and Photography. For some weird reason I was afraid of painting seriously. It was almost like I knew it would expect a huge part of my heart and soul so I wasn’t ready. I worked various office jobs in Real Estate/Finance. After 5 years of that I just couldn’t do it, I knew I needed to work in a creative field. So I went FIDM in LA, majored in Visual Communications. Then went on to do some more odd end jobs like commercial styling, retail, and worked in Interior Design for about 3 years. I got fired because I was slacking and it was not interesting or challenging enough for me. So I took some courses at Santa Ana Community College to try to go and get my Bachelors. I took Life Drawing and Painting, it was the first time I painted and it opened up Pandora’s Box! My teachers were really supportive, one of my favorites pulled me aside after the last day and basically told me if I didn’t pursue my art as a career it would be a shame and a waste. I was making these master copies of Monet’s and she was blown away. I had no idea I could even do this. So she gave me the push and confidence I needed.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I paint mostly abstract pieces right now.
My process is pretty simple and instinctual. I empty my mind, I guess it is a meditative state, so it’s just a void of chatter. Then I look at my palette and it just comes to me, or flows through me. I start to mix colors and I apply paint. Color, I sense in some quantum spectrum so when I place one color next to another they begin to tell a story. The process is important because the color and shapes develop themselves and it creates a narrative I suppose. The thing with abstract art is when it’s done well it can be extremely powerful because it is a pure expression of our internal world.
How can artists connect with other artists?
You know I hear that from friends that I must get lonely. But I really don’t. I think it’s really really important to be alone as an artist that is how you get in touch with that divine source. That’s where the ideas and concepts are free to come. Having all these people around in your space mixes everything up. BUT I think it’s really important to be in the community. I have this issue, so I make an effort to go to an opening once a week and meet the Artist and Curator or Gallerists. I have only been living in LA for a year, and that years I was out of the country a lot so I want to make a connection to my local art scene. And you should too!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I think I am most active and available on Instagram. I really enjoy Instagram, so you can usually watch my stories, I like to post my day and what I’m painting.
The best way to support is to buy my work!! I have a lot of ideas and the best way to get them moving is by selling work so I can fund the purchase of materials. Even just sharing is supporting and I appreciate anyone who enjoys my work. It makes me really happy when someone has a response to my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bridgetteduran.com
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
