Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Milne.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Growing up I loved to draw and color in my coloring books, almost obsessively. Looking back, I see that those moments – the time I spent with my crayons and pencils, paper and black outlines of characters/images – were moments when I was connecting with my soul. The world around me, my anxieties, worries or fears disappeared. I was quiet and peaceful, creative and expressing who I was, whomever I was at the moment. I dreamed of being an artist then, but as I got older, my outlook on the reality of that dream coming true was more and more defeated by negativity and fear. Years went by, I continued to draw just for fun, and had no idea that one day my art would bring me opportunities I never imagined. In 2003 a friend of mine suggested that I submit my work to this art event in LA called Cannibal Flower. It was a weekend event held monthly that exhibited artworks, which I had NO idea things like this even existed. I submitted what I had at the time, they really liked it, and invited me to show with them every month! I was over the moon with their response, and I began showing month after month. Each time I attended the event, I was blown away by people’s interest and reaction to what I was showing, which inspired me to continue making more art, and opening up my world to this community I was finding that appreciated and celebrated art in this way! (again, I had NO idea this world of art lovers/supporters existed!!) My work grew and grew as more opportunities to show in established galleries came my way. All these years later, I’m proud to say that my work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world!! I am older now than I was when I found peace with my crayons and coloring books, my world is MUCH larger than it was then, but still I feel that meditative connection and satisfaction I did with my paintings and works today. With that I hope to continue making my dream(s) my reality and opening up my world and my heart to possibilities I have no idea exist!!
Please tell us about your art.
My work is strange and unusual – whimsical and narrative and widely expressive of feeling and emotion. My work is my life and my life are my work, it is my voice and my love and my contribution to this loud, chaotic, beautiful world. I hope that people relate to my work, I hope they can see themselves – their own stories and struggles and likes and loves in what I do. I hope people FEEL and connect to themselves when looking at my art, and at the same time feel connected to the idea that they are not alone in the world. I want my work to wrap its arms around its viewers and give them warmth and love and hope. That’s all.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
One of my biggest challenges today is being able to shut out all the noise and volume that can overwhelm and cause feelings of defeat and anxiety. The noise of social media – comparative living, the overwhelming number of people who are looking for their chance in the sun, the feelings of negativity and fear that come from social issues and today’s political systems. This to me is chaos and noise – not the ideal working condition in my head! I really have to work – DAILY to center myself and focus on what’s in front of me, what good I can contribute with my time on this earth. I would imagine that this is a pretty universal feeling – not specific to artists, but to humans.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I show my work in galleries – I just had a big solo show at Corey Helford Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles last summer which exhibited over 40 new paintings and drawings that I was (and am!) so proud to present. Coming up, I have a big solo show in October 2019 at Dorothy Circus Gallery in Rome, Italy that I’m now working on and SO excited about!! I will have a couple new paintings in group shows in the Fall and Winter of this year – Art of the Mushroom show with Hi Fructose Magazine showing at Compound Gallery (Oakland CA) in October and a small works exhibition at Corey Helford Gallery (Downtown Los Angeles) in December. Aside from that, I’m now redesigning and releasing a 10 Year Anniversary Edition of my first book So Good for Little Bunnies with Baby Tattoo Books that will come out in the Fall of this year!! People can follow and support my work as well as get behind the scene process insight by following me on social media!!
Contact Info:
- Website: brandimilne.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @brandimilne
- Facebook: @brandimilne
- Twitter: @brandimilne
Image Credit:
Photo of me by Jessica Louise
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