Welcome to our Artist Spotlight feature, where we regularly showcase a story or interview highlighting a local artist and member. 

We are thrilled to introduce Brandi Jacques and share the interview we recently conducted to get to know this multi-faceted artist. 
 

Q&A Interview October 2024

Q: How would you describe your current art and the path that brought you here?

Brandi:  "I am fascinated with the expression of the fleeting moment: the ephemeral, the transitory, the impermanent. My current works attempt to describe the rapture and beauty of transient experiences. Nature is full of these moments: clouds billowing, mist drifting, water flowing, flowers blossoming, leaves and petals fluttering gently in the breeze, the play of sunlight and shadow, etc.

At the same time, I am captivated by records of our past: drawings, writings, parchments, manuscripts, and glyphs. I feel drawn to historical artifacts, and I love to explore and reinterpret phenomena such as music, various modes of notation, sculpture, architecture, and even the visual art of the great masters. Fleeting moments and echoes of the past come together in my imagination, and the result on canvas can be abstract, surreal, and sometimes, both at once. My favorite modes of expression are mixed media and oil on canvas."

Q: How long have you been creating art, and how did you get started?

In my heart, I’ve always been an artist. I chose to pursue music as my career path, and I followed that passion all the way to a PhD. I have enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a piano artist-teacher, with plenty of freedom to make visual art on the side.

Over the past couple of years, I have been drawn back to painting and have focused intently on developing my skills and artistic processes through courses, experimentation, and my daily art practice."

Q: Having grown up and lived much of your life in Canada, how does it influence your art?

Brandi: "My influences harken back to my childhood in rural British Columbia, Canada. My father is a biologist and a passionate environmentalist. He taught my sister and me to love the earth and to take care of it. We grew up in the country, rescuing toads and salamanders and caring for wounded wildlife if we happened upon it. We tended our flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens. We often went camping. It was an idyllic childhood.

Additionally, both of my parents are artistic, detail-oriented, and hard-working. They were the original DIYers. My Dad designed and helped build our house. My Mom would knit, crochet, and sew our clothes. They taught me to notice details, to strive for excellence, and to feel completely comfortable creating things."

Q: How long have you lived in Winston-Salem and how does it inspire you?

Brandi: "My husband, daughter, and I moved to Winston-Salem just over 10 years ago, and we absolutely love it. We are so fortunate to live and work in the city of Arts and Innovation. Artistic influences are everywhere, and the city is teeming with creatives and supporters of the arts. With my love of history and nature, places like Old Salem, Reynolda Museum and Gardens, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Graylyn Estate offer endless inspiration. And, of course, we have the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Piedmont Opera Company, and so much more!"

Q: How long have you been a member of the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem and what motivated you to join?

Brandi: "I have been a proud member of the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem for 2 years. I joined because I wanted to show my art, develop my skills, and meet other local creatives. All of these goals have been realized beyond my expectations! In the short time I’ve been a member, I have been accepted into many shows, four of them juried, and have been awarded the Bill Edwards Grant for Artistic Development. I have pieces on exhibit at Bernardin's Restaurant and the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. And best of all, I am now connected with many other local artists and meet new ones all the time."

Q: What's next for you?

Brandi: "I am currently taking an intensive art course through the Milan Art Institute, which is incredibly challenging and deeply rewarding.

In addition, I am working on a Botanical Collection that just refuses to wait on the sidelines. The pieces are flowing out of my fingertips: large works depicting giant florals in glorious detail, flourishing in lush garden dreamscapes. I’m excited to reveal them soon.

And I am delighted to join Patty Donoghue Art for a local show this November. We will each exhibit our work and share our processes. And we’ll have hands-on activities for those who wish to get creative!"

Q: What are some random facts about you that might surprise people?

Brandi: "I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I once played music for Prince Charles and Lady Di, I was a member of the 2006 Canadian National Dog Agility team, I am an avid tennis player, and I love competing for spots at the USTA State Championships."

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Brandi: "I’m so grateful to the AAWS and the City of Winston-Salem for the opportunities, and I am honored to contribute to this community's rich artistic tapestry!"

To learn more about Brandi and see a more in-depth look at her work, check out her Instagram at instagram.com/brandijacques_art