Great interviews with great artists continue with the Artist du Jour: Mini Interviews with the Creative Kind series!  It is my pleasure to introduce you to the delightful human pretzel and surrealist, the lovely Brienna Pruce.  Her paintings are beautiful and fantastical dreams for the waking eye.

 

Artist du Jour: Brienna Pruce with acrylic painting Stacked to the Ceiling

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Brienna, think “Brie” spelled like the cheese, though ironically I happen to be lactose intolerant.  I am a surrealist, working primarily in acrylic on canvas sheets that I can ship internationally because I travel frequently.  Right now, my husband and I are living in Cambridge, England.  I love painting new worlds that explore human empathy through animal and plant narratives.  Through my art, I want to understand the human condition and what it means to be alive.

What artists inspire you? Would you say that your work is influenced more by other mediums, such as music, literature, or film? I have so many favorite artists, but some of the more recognizable ones are Salvador Dali, Remedios Varo, Mark Ryden, and Julie Heffernan.  All art media, from great literature to beautiful music, inspire me.  In fact, everything in life can be a catalyst for a new art piece; my paintings are a collection of memories and experiences, much like a subconscious dream made visible.  I draw from everyone and everything that touches me, demonstrating the interconnection of all living beings.

 

Do you find a contrast between others’ perception of your work

and your intentions as an artist?

I would say no, not because everyone sees my paintings as I do, but rather because I want to leave interpretation open.  It is my intention that my artwork says something personal to everyone.  We all have different cultural and singular associations with particular imagery, and yet we can all still grasp similar emotions; this is where human empathy unites us.  What makes each of us unique is our varied perspective of life, but not the undercurrent that defines life.  We all feel something powerful running through us, it is something we have yet to fully comprehend, but it somehow makes us alive.  I hope to ignite that feeling of life through my artwork.

 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

I would want to heal the world.  We are all suffering in some way and I would want to give everyone peace of mind, including myself.  And then, selfishly, I would like to fly, but I can put that on the back burner for now.

 

 

What emotions do you experience upon the completion of a painting?

It is such a bittersweet feeling to part with a painting.  The finished piece is an accomplishment, but the creation process is where you struggle and grow as a person.  It is like a terribly addictive mystery novel; you’re elated to finally know the ending, but you so enjoyed playing detective that you wish it wasn’t over… and continuing with that metaphor, now you have to find another book that may never meet your expectations after the last great book!  That is to say, you have to paint something new and you’re staring at a blank canvas hoping you can keep topping yourself.

 

 

If you were not painting, what would you be up to?

You’d find me practicing yoga or cooking up a storm.  And if I’m not in the gym or kitchen, my husband and I are usually traveling.  I trained with a Grand Master in Vietnamese Powerful King Yoga; you can see me tied up into pretzels and lifting myself up like I’m flying… hey maybe I do have that super power after all (http://brienna.net/id29.html ).

 

 

Where can we find you?

Come visit me on my art website: http://brienna.net

My Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/brienna

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brienna.net

Twitter: http://twitter.com/briennapruce

Youtube: The Ruined Kindgdom by Brienna Pruce

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