Check Out Brandy Gerber’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Gerber

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my art journey as a way to spend time with my Gramma Dee. I would visit every Friday while I was in grad school pursuing a music degree. She had an open apartment above her house that we turned into an art studio. We followed instructional books and videos. She gave me tips and pointers along the way. Those afternoons were less about the painting and more about us becoming close friends. They are priceless memories now that she has passed. I continued to paint, switching from oils to acrylics because of the faster drying time. I was painting as a hobby for a few years but then got burnt out at my job of teaching piano. I decided to give a real try to making art an income source. I took a 6 month sabbatical from teaching and in that time approached galleries, shops and other places to sell my art. I soon had things in a few places and my first 2 solo shows were scheduled. By the time my 6 months were up I knew I wanted to stick with art at this level and I closed my piano studio and expanded my art studio. Since then I’ve grown my art following through shows and shops spread around Michigan. I have participated in ArtPrize Grand Rapids every year it has happened since 2017, and have been fortunate to sell there every year as well. I wrote and illustrated my first children’s book “A to Z, An Animal Alphabet of Art”, I began a daily morning practice in 2015 and every morning I paint a small watercolor following a prompt list. My artwork and books have sold around the world. I began co-curating an annual regional art exhibit that I continue to do every year. I received an Artist in Residence from the River Raisin National Battlefield Park where I painted a huge mural for their educational center. I, in conjunction with another artist curate a small local gift shop-The River Raisin Trading Post. We also designed and curate a Free Little Art Gallery of the same name just outside of the gift shop. I spend much of my time painting pet portrait commissions but I also paint landscapes, other animals, murals, and some more whimsical, abstractish paintings, I occasionally do people portraits in colored pencil, and I love to dabble in mixed media and sculpting. I teach paint classes a few times a month at various locations and this allows me to share my love of art and make it accessible to many others. My days are never the same and I love it!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a lot of work. I’m not the best at approaching people and talking about my art.. My first year at ArtPrize my challenge to myself was to talk to as many people about my art as possible. It turned into a great base that I’ve continued to build on to make connections with galleries, shops, other artists, and my students.

It was also a hard decision to close my successful piano studio and fully jump into art without any guarantee of success. I’ve learned to be braver and take more chances.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mostly paint animals- especially people’s pets. I’m often told that I capture the spirit and attitude of each animal well. I love all animals and want to express their soul whenever I paint a living thing. I hope my paintings allow others to find beauty in all creatures. I also use my paintings to bring awareness to issues like endangered animals because of habitat loss.

I’m most proud of the Caribbean Reef installation I created for ArtPrize 2023. My dad passed away and I was reeling. I wanted to do something that made me feel connected to him and honor the various skills he taught me. I spent the year cutting fish and sea creatures out of plywood using a saw my dad taught me to use, I painting and sculpting fish, octopus, turtles and such. I created reefs using recycled/repurchased materials-my dad was one to find a use for everything and he taught me to look at things in different ways. I painted sheets for backdrops using an airbrush I didn’t know how to use, strung lights together learning how to make connections and splits. I made jellyfish out of bathmats, fairy lights and shower caps. I spent the whole year allowing myself to play and remember some of the small things dad taught me. Seeing that installation hang was an amazing moment in my life.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I used my art to give me an outlet during covid. I started doing multiple days of working a little bit on one canvas, each day building off of the work I had done previously. I shared each day on social media to keep me accountable. I think I ended up finishing 7 or 8 large paintings in this manner. I also shared free coloring sheets through my Facebook so that other people could share them with their kids and have some fun during the long, frightening days. I really learned how art can create a connection with others. How what I paint can be important.

Pricing:

• My acrylic pet portrait paintings start at $85
• My watercolor pet portraits start at $40
• My daily watercolors sell for $30
• My commissions start at $45

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brandygerber.com
• Instagram: @bngerber
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMeVXWsfK/