Interview: Brandi Milne

Die Malerei von Brandi Milne zeigt eine seltsame, zugleich niedlich und leicht bedrohlich wirkende Welt, die unter anderem von Hasen, Erdbeeren, Eiscreme, Fischen und verwunschenen Meerjungfrauen bevölkert ist. Hier ein kleines Gespräch im Rahmen der wöchentlichen Diskursdisko-Interviews.

The Past

I was scared to start painting, I had never  been taught how to, and to me, it seemed like I was gonna have to let go of precision and control that I had achieved with pencils and watercolors.

Diskursdisko: Hi Brandi. To start things off, what’s your background? When did you start painting?

Brandi Milne: I was born and raised in Anaheim California. I loved to make “art” growing up, coloring in color books, drawing and such. I was scared to start painting, I had never  been taught how to, and to me, it seemed like I was gonna have to let go of precision and control that I had achieved with pencils and watercolors. I ended up using acrylics about 3 years ago – and though it feels out of control and messy, I go with it, make it work and now I’m hooked.

The Art

I feel like this is who I am, personally. I might seem soft and fluffy (ha ha!), but there’s definately a sour side to me.

Diskursdisko: How do you mainly produce your art? Do you have a system or method that you adhere to?

Brandi Milne: Well, I just start with a thumbnail idea for layout and composition, then I sketch the character out a few times and then I get to work on the painting. My favorite part is at the end, when I’m inking everything and it’s coming together, piece by piece. I don’t particularly enjoy the inking process, but it’s the most rewarding.

Diskursdisko: What inspires you?

Brandi Milne: I am inspired by a lot of different things, like many artists. Music, books, fashion photos, illustrations, lyrics, and just about everything else! I really have to keep that a constant flow, otherwise, I get scared.

Diskursdisko: Your artwork focuses on a rather off-beat take on cuteness… Even though there are little fluffy animals and fairies featured in the pictures, something somewhere seems off, even though it’s hard to put a finger on it – how did you develop this style?

Brandi Milne: Yeah, things are a little off. I feel like this is who I am, personally. I might seem soft and fluffy (ha ha!), but there’s definately a sour side to me. It didn’t neccessarily develop, more like I got comfortable expressing that side in my work. If you take a look at my work from about 6 years ago, it’s real clean and pretty. I wanted to let myself be free in my work, and that’s when the “off-beat cuteness” started to appear! I feel more connected with it now as opposed to several years ago.

The Web

I’m really into crafty artists that make things like aprons, softies, bags and purses – I spend more time looking at that stuff than I do looking for artists & painters!

Diskursdisko: You’ve obviously got the website at brandimilne.com, any other presences on the web you’d like to publicize? Social networking?

Brandi Milne: I have a blog, and I’m also on facebook.

Diskursdisko: As you use the internet to showcase your art, are there any other websites you feel have influenced you, opened your mind or shown you new ways of creating art?

Brandi Milne: I love finding blogs that inspire me. I’m really into crafty artists that make things like aprons, softies, bags and purses – I spend more time looking at that stuff than I do looking for artists & painters!

Diskursdisko: Of all the work you’ve created, or at least the ones showcased on your website, can you name a couple that you have a special love for or connection to?

Brandi Milne: I have a special love and connection to all my pieces.  A few pieces that have stood out to me recently in regards to how I feel I excecuted my emotion along with color, compossion, layout, etc…..”The Saddest Lullaby” and “I Can’t See You” are very strong to me.  They were poured out  just right, and I’m pleased by the way they turned out.

The Future

Diskursdisko: Do you have any specific plans for the future direction of your artwork?

Brandi Milne: I want to better my work. I want to be efficient, I want to study, sketch, paint and be free! If I can do that, I will be happy.

Diskursdisko: Brandi, many thanks for the interview.

Vincent Wilkie hat diesen tollen Beitrag verfasst. In seiner Freizeit ist er Musiker, Webdesigner und DJ.

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