Meet Chris Brandley of Chris Brandley Fine Art

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Brandley.

Chris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Being the daughter of an Air Force pilot, I grew up all over the world, We dove into the different cultures, and frequented galleries and museums everywhere we went. I was particularly drawn to the Impressionist painters, and how they painted everyday life scenes, capturing light and using color in expressive ways. In 1977 my family moved to Holland, where the breath-taking beauty was etched into my memories. The experiences I had all over Europe play an instrumental part in my current work.

In 1989 I graduated with a BFA in Art Education from Baylor University and taught art in the public school system in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for 11 years. I loved teaching but had a deep desired to do more of my own art. After a lot of thinking, discussion with my husband, and prayer, I decided to take a leap of faith and step down from teaching school so that I could establish my own art business. This included everything from decorative finishing and painting commercial and residential murals, to painting oil on canvas. After demand for my paintings grew, I decided to make another transition in 2012 and relinquish the faux and mural side of my business to focus solely on my oils.

A few years ago I was asked to teach an adult oil painting workshop, and in this found a deep passion in helping others to further their own artistic goals. Teaching adult and teen workshops is one of my favorite parts of being an artist, and this summer I get to take a group to Southern France to paint! My oils embrace a range of subjects, with the main focus being on using expressive brushstrokes, intense lighting, and vivid color. My goal is to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In deciding to step down from teaching school, we lost our health insurance and benefits, as my husband was also self-employed. There have been many years of struggle, but my passion for what I do has outweighed the difficulties. People close to me have insisted that I “get a real job”, and I had seriously considered giving up. I’m so thankful I haven’t, though, as my dreams are coming to fruition! To me, living your dreams is worth the struggles that come with it.

Chris Brandley Fine Art – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I work in the Alla Prima method of oil painting, (literally translated “all at once”) which basically means working wet into wet, usually in one sitting. I love the spontaneity that comes from this.

I take ordinary subjects or scenery, and really punch up the color. There’s something about vivid color that makes my heart skip a beat. My paintings are kind of like a diary of my life… and I really enjoy capturing my favorite moments in life and bringing that same joy to other people.

I’m constantly looking at my surroundings as a possible painting, so even the most mundane objects can potentially bring joy.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’m so thankful for so many opportunities I’ve had… recently a national nut company licensed my work “First Snow” to be on their 2017 Christmas tins which were distributed through Big Lots across the nation.

I also have to add my upcoming workshop in France. Ever since I attended high school in South Korea, I have wanted to teach overseas in some capacity. Even though it has taken many years to get here, I’ve finally found a way to be in one of my favorite countries, painting and teaching… doing what I love to do. Sometimes you just have to have the guts to take a risk and do it! One of my favorite quotes is by Martin Luther King, Jr. … “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

That about sums up my journey!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ChrisBrandley.com
• Phone: 817-455-9087
• Email: brandley@charter.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisbrandleyart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisBrandleyArt
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisBrandley

Image Credit:
Juliana Hunt

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