Specializing in ink and graphite portraits, (like this Bowie above), she focuses on her subject's most moving element, whether its sensuality, stature, or even its simplicity. Her art distills the essence of her subjects into intricate curves and curls that at once capture the order and the chaos in all of us. Her work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows in New York and has been featured by Indiewalls, Openhouse Gallery, and Red Bull Curates.
On to the interview...
Who were/are your favorite or most influential artists? I’ve always had a deep appreciation for the classical arts
and the artists who combine classical technical proficiency with creativity. My
favorite artist is Leonardo da Vinci, the true renaissance man. I also love the
great photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, as well as Shepard Fairey and Gabriel
Orozco. Many times I’ll gallery hop for an entire afternoon and fall in love
with twenty artists I hadn’t known existed, but in most cases I’ll remember
their work, not necessarily their names.
How long have you been creating? I’ve been drawing throughout my entire life but started creating
pieces more seriously during college and had my first show in 2011. Since then
I’ve had a number of shows but I’ve been scaling back this past year in order
to work on several privately commissioned projects.
Did you study art in school, or college, what is your
training, or self-taught? I’m self-taught,
although I’ve taken a handful of courses in classical figure drawing and
digital imaging. I’m currently taking a course in graphic design during the
evenings to hone my skills (plus it’s fun).
Can you explain your pop art influence? Who do you plan to paint next? While I’m inspired by visual art on many occasions, I often
feel I’m even more influenced my music. I’m always listening to music, and
obsessively. At one point, I was simply spending the night in my apartment,
listening to music, and I figured I’d show my respect for some of my favorite
musicians by creating their portraits. Thus, my portraits of Hendrix, Bowie,
Billie Holiday, Bob Marley, and Lou Reed came to be. We all immortalize
musicians by listening to them and allowing their songs to become part of us.
Illustrating them was another way for me to show my appreciation. I’m not sure
who I’ll paint next, but the past several weeks have been extremely politically
charged, and it’s an important time in America to show support for equal human
rights. I have a feeling my next few portraits will be of civil rights leaders,
activists, and academics. I’m halfway through a portrait of Noam Chomsky, and
for my next portrait I’m leaning towards Cornel West.
What is / was your favorite piece completed thus far? It’s hard to choose favorites, since each piece had its own
challenges. I’d say my favorite pieces e at the moment are ‘Lips,’ because of
its sensuality, and ‘Skull No. 2,’ one in a series of skull studies I made this
past year.
As everyone asks; what type of music do you listen to while
creating? It changes with every day, every mood,
every project. When I’m making a portrait of musician, I can’t help but listen
to the person I’m illustrating. As for other projects, it depends. For example,
if I’m making a clean, minimal graphic, then I tend to listen to chill
electronic with stripped-down beats. If I’m making a sensual piece, I’ll put on
a movie like ‘2046’ in the background.
Other inspirations? It always
sounds cheesy, but once you’re in a creative mindset, everything around us can
be inspirational. Whether it’s an Eames chair or an Ikea shelf, a marble
sculpture by Michelangelo or clay figure by a child, I can find something
inspirational in practically anything. We all process hundreds of observations per
second. It all depends on how we choose to process and apply those
observations.
If you could have dinner with one or two people, dead or alive
who would they be and why? Difficult (and great)
question! I’d say Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Both are geniuses, and I
would give so much to see them in action or to get their opinions on different
life topics. There is an endless list of people I wish to meet and have dinner
with, but they are in certain ways more accessible; many of them are still
alive or existed in the time when we were able to record video interviews.
What upcoming plans do you have for yourself and your art? This past year I’ve scaled back on shows; both in terms of
participation as well as in terms of throwing my own shows for other artists. Instead
of racing to get pieces done in time for shows or to spending a bulk my time
organizing shows, I’ve been focusing on private commissions as well as
developing projects more fully and honing my existing skills. I have several
projects in mind for 2015, including new ideas for a commission I had put on
hold, as well as riffs of existing portraits and skull studies. We’ll see how
they turn out!
Follower her on Instagram here: @brixtongun