Brittany C Ellis: Daydreamer
Brittany C Ellis, from Houston Texas, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2021 from the Academy of Art University. With a background in painting, photography, and innovative practices, she crafts multifaceted compositions that draw inspiration from her diverse artistic experiences. Her work integrates painting, unconventional materials, and sculpture to create narratives centered on the exploration of adolescent memories. Her latest series, "Home Sweet Home," examines collective experiences that evoke childhood memories while contrasting them with the realities of adulthood. Ellis strives to stand as a reminder to enjoy moments of the present instead of chasing fleeting moments of nostalgia of the past.
How did your creative journey begin?
I was always creative when I was a child however, I lacked knowledge on how to execute certain drawing aspects before receiving training. I attended my first art class at the age of eleven at First Presbyterian school in Houston. Even though I grew up in a low-income neighborhood where resources were limited, I was very fortunate that my mother was an educator and knew the importance of obtaining higher education. Being able to attend private school provided me with opportunities I could have only dreamed of. My first art teacher, Mary Lynn Grimes, expressed to my mother who was also a teacher at the school during that time that I should consider pursuing art if it was something I wished to do. Without her, I probably wouldn’t have been a professional artist because I would have lacked the proper guidance that some artists need. Twenty-three years later, I create art professionally and Mrs. Grimes is still in my life as a mentor. My next initiative will be to influence others in my community as Mrs. Grimes influenced me.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
The inspiration for my work derives from happy memories of my childhood. As a child, I was an avid daydreamer imagining adventures far from my reality. My grandfather cultivated my imagination by providing creative freedom through his adventurous spirit. Daily he questioned what our plans were for the day when he was my babysitter. He would allow me to conceptualize a narrative in which we would embark on for the day. No matter how outrageous my idea was he would follow through with my imagined adventure. Backyard fishing, Pocahontas reenactments, and blasting off to the moon were some of my favorite memories I had that we enacted. These early exercises cultivated aspects of my creativity which I use to make the imagined narratives I create within my art.
How has your work evolved over the last few years?
The subject matters of my artworks changed when I began to learn about myself in conjunction with my past. The artwork I produce today is reflective of the circumstances of my childhood which made me who I am. For a while, I struggled to discover my individual style because I was influenced by the thought of what an artist should be. When I began to create what I desired to create and explore alternative ways of creating I cultivated my own art style. Before creating science-based artwork I painted flowers because I thought I wanted to be like Georgia Okeeffe. However, I wasn’t immersed into what I was creating because I was creating based on a path that was already taken. Imitating another artist’s artwork didn’t have significance to me which devalued my connection to what I was creating. After attending a mixed media class in 2018 I began my journey to discovering the art style I create now. During this course I was able to experiment which allowed me explore aspects of creating I liked and disliked. Overtime I cultivated my style by creating in unique ways circumstantial to me.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
A typical day in my studio starts in the evening around 8 or even 9 pm after settling down after work. While the world sleeps, I tinker away with a cup of coffee and the project I began the night before. I enjoy the natural sounds I make in the studio when unconventional tools touch my canvas. There is true solace in silence, especially after listening to the music playing over the loudspeakers at work. In addition to painting, I create social media content for the week before ending the night at 2 am. Other studio necessities include website management, packaging sales, photographing new artwork, and YouTube filming for upcoming projects.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
There have been many experiences that have impacted my work as an artist. However, the most pivotal experience that impacted my artwork was during the Houston freeze in 2021. During that time, I was able to reflect on why I gravitated to science-based narratives. I discovered Jodie Kings mini course that made me question aspects of myself; things such as why I paint with acrylic and why am I fascinated with science narratives. They might seem like self-explanatory questions until they are asked of you. In this time, I realized how important my grandfather and grandmother were in my childhood. My paternal grandfather cultivated my imagination whereas my maternal grandmother emphasized the importance of knowledge which I pay homage to when I create books within my work.
How has social media impacted your work?
Social media have impacted my artwork through the connections I’ve been able to make with artist around the world. After covid I made it a point to reach out to other artists whose artworks resonate with the avid daydreamer in me. Artists might think of someone's work as inspiring but sometimes keep it to themselves. With life being short, I decided to contact anyone I think of during that time as well as express my fascination with other contemporary artist work. Since then, I’ve made meaningful new connections which even sparked artist collaborations. Being an artist can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Creating meaningful connections with another artist can even spark new creativity.
What drew you to your chosen medium?
I began to gravitate to acrylic for health and environmental reasons. I strive to make environmentally friendly choices when it comes to my art because I worry about the world. I feel making minor adjustments to our daily practices can make a vast difference in the world. As such I try to implement that into my artwork by often using recycled or even reclaimed aspects within my artwork. The reclaimed items are used as added texture and embellishment aspects of the artworks according to each artwork's theme. Paper, abalone shells, beads, threads, and modeling clay are reoccurring materials I use the most.
IG: @brittelinc
Website: https://www.hollowdolls.com/