Brandy Blackstone is a mixed media artist who specializes in realistic abstract works of art inspired by nature and the world around her. Having owned and operated her own web and graphics design firm for over 30 years, Brandy found that creating works of art with her hands was more exciting than she could have imagined. She loves to explore expressing herself creatively through a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylics and oil, and hopes others experience the same joy she feels when she is surrounded by nature while viewing her work. Brandy is a member of the Calvert Artist Guild and the Color & Light Society, and her work can be found at the St. Mary's County Arts Council Gallery & Gift Shop in Leonardtown, Maryland.
Finding Inspiration: Brandy draws inspiration from the everyday beauty around her—whether during peaceful walks, invigorating bike rides, or quiet moments on her porch, where she enjoys watching a variety of birds flock to the feeders surrounding her Southern Maryland home.
Her creative spark often comes from unexpected sources. A video on Monarch butterfly migration inspired a stunning series of mixed media paintings capturing butterflies in flight. Similarly, her discovery of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending pottery with gold, led her to reimagine her own work in innovative ways. By merging paintings through the principles of Kintsugi, Brandy breathes new life into existing pieces. This process allows her to pair less successful paintings with more fully realized works, transforming them into cohesive, meaningful creations. For example, an oil painting of an orchid might join with watercolor roses, connected through delicate gold accents, to craft a unique abstract masterpiece. This method not only revives individual works but also symbolizes renewal and growth, mirroring the resilience found in nature. Through her ability to find beauty in both nature and unconventional inspirations, Brandy transforms ordinary moments and ideas into extraordinary works of art, showcasing her talent for blending mediums and perspectives into creations that are as thoughtful as they are visually captivating.
From Vision to Reality: When Brandy finds inspiration for a new painting, she begins by visualizing the creative process. She imagines herself working with a specific medium—whether watercolor, acrylic, oil, or mixed media—to bring the subject to life. This mental blueprint helps her consider not only the colors, textures, and techniques but also how the chosen medium can best express the mood and essence of her subject. Once she has a clear vision of the painting, she typically proceeds to create it using the medium she envisioned, trusting her instincts to guide the artistic journey.
When a subject captures Brandy's imagination, she often explores it through a series of paintings, each offering a fresh perspective. She captures different angles, both literally and metaphorically, examining the subject from multiple viewpoints to uncover its complexities and nuances. By experimenting with a variety of mediums, Brandy creates a rich, layered dialogue within her series. For example, she might depict a single flower in watercolor to highlight its delicate transparency, then reimagine it in oil to emphasize its bold textures and depth. This approach allows her to fully immerse herself in the subject, producing a collection of works that celebrates its multifaceted beauty while showcasing her versatility and creative insight.
We invite you to explore Brandy’s gallery, where every painting offers a glimpse into her world of creativity and inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to the delicate intricacies of her floral studies, the vibrant energy of her butterfly series, or the symbolic depth of her Kintsugi-inspired creations, you’re sure to find art that speaks to the heart and ignites the imagination.