Are you from Buffalo?
I grew up in Williamsville. Born and raised in WNY.
Are there any other artists in your family?
My cousin Jarael Adams, who runs Paint The Town. My mom is also pretty creative – she directs plays. My family is very creative.
Is being an artist your day job?
Yes it is. I’m very grateful to be able to do this fuilltime and pursue what I really really love.
What is your medium?
My primary medium is oil paint… and drawing.
What is your favorite subject matter?
Definitely people. I love painting people. There’s so much emotion in people’s faces – people typically see faces, and just walk by. I enjoy looking and studying the faces – they tell so much about the person. The humanity. Especially their eyes.
What do you feel is the hardest facial feature to draw.
I think the eyes. It’s a very important. So difficult – you feel the pressure. It’s instinct. You have to just go for it. There are no mistakes – it’s happy accidents, to quote Bob Ross. Everything is work-outable.
When is your favorite time of day to paint?
When I was at home painting, nighttime. Now that I have a studio at The Guild @ 980, it’s between 11am and 4pm.
Is there different inspiration between painting at night, and during the day?
At night, creativity flows. Now, with the studio, I have the time to sleep on those thoughts, and get some sketches out, and plan. It makes it feel more like a job, not some crazy scientist [laughing].
Do you have formal art training?
I did four years at Buff State – I just graduated in May. I have a BFA in painting and minor in art therapy.
Do you teach art?
I’ve had some experience, but I try to focus on my commission work. I led one paint party. I did a beginner series with Burchfield Penney – I taught portraiture in acrylic paint workshop this past November.
Is there an artist that has inspired your work?
I would say John Singer Sargent and Jordan Casteel.
Is there a Buffalo artist that you admire?
Julia Bottoms – the way that she captures the soul of her subject is inspiring. And my professor, Lin Xia Jiang.
Where do you show your work?’
I definitely plan on doing more shows and exhibits. In February I will be showing at the Burchfield-Penney. And I have an upcoming residency at Hunt Gallery downtown. i am also open for studio visits – people can DM me to see the space.
How did you discover The Guild @ 980?
Through my friend – she told me about the space. I wanted to be surrounded by other creatives. I’m inspired by people in similar fields.
Can you tell me about painting #1?
It’s part of a series that I did after the passing of my father in 2021. It’s part of a graduate senior show called Joy Comes in the Mourning. The work is titled Mourning into Dancing. I took a picture of the model in school. It was rainy day and there was a rainbow. My professor gave me a photo of Hertel Avenue for the background.
And painting #2?
It’s a commission portrait for one of my dad’s friends who loves Nina Simone. She wanted something bright and colorful. She gave me creative freedom to paint the piece.
How about painting #3?
It’s also part of my senior show. It’s titled Dead Bury The Dead. It’s based off of a bible verse. It’s about mourning… denial, and shock during the grieving process. You think, this can’t be real. This person can’t be gone. There’s a beauty in it as well. It’s based off the Pietà by Michelangelo. Mary is holding Jesus in her arms after his passing.
And finally, can you tell me about painting #4?
Another one from my show. It’s from a real picture of me crying during class. There was so much emotion. The moment that I took the photo, I knew that I was going to do a show. It’s very personal and emotional. It’s about the low times. It’s titled Sad Black Woman. It’s inspired by the stigma of angry black women – it’s about various emotions that we feel, and not caricatures.
Get connected: Bree Gilliam | breegilliamart@gmail.com | Instagram | The Guild @ 980 | 980 Northampton Street Buffalo NY 14211