Brittany Jones is the recipient of the Honourable Mention – Chapman & Bailey Prize at Brunswick Street Gallery’s Small Works Art Prize.
Born and raised in Florida, USA, Brittany Jones spent the last 15 years overseas, nearly 10 of them in Australia. Painting pretty much her entire life—focusing mostly on portraiture— Jones studied fine arts in Florida before heading overseas. Jones now works as a graphic designer and painter and explores other creative pursuits in her spare time.
What medium(s) do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I generally work with oil paints, but have been known to experiment in permanent inks, gouache, photography, printmaking, and even pyrography. I’m currently trying to learn traditional egg tempera painting. I like to try and am interested in many different mediums, but I keep coming back oil paints for their slow drying times and capacity for smooth blending.
Can you elaborate a little more on your making process — how does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
Once I’ve got an idea in my head, I pretty instantly need to make it. With my painting practice, it usually begins with me setting up a photoshoot, whether of myself, a friend or native plants found on walks. I grid up the photo as well as my canvas or panel and draw it all out. I’m sure there are quicker ways of achieving photorealism, like using a projector, but it’s how I learned way back when and I’m reluctant to change it. I’m usually pretty impatient at this point as I just want to get painting, but once it's done, it’s on to the colour. I used to paint one small section at a time, but 5 or 6 years ago started painting in layers to slowly build up the detail as I go which definitely gives more of a sense of satisfaction as the whole canvas is covered in paint a lot sooner!
Who or what are the biggest influences on your work?
I’m mostly a portrait painter and am at the front end of what feels like a long-lasting relationship with self-portraiture based on a lot of self-reflection, so that’s certainly an influence. Travel and my expat identity also play a big role.
How do you keep your creative juices flowing? How do you push past creative block?
I have a number of different creative avenues that I’m interested in, both visual and performing, so I tend to float between them. When I’m full of creative energy but lacking in inspiration, I just make—create and paint a still life from random objects around the house, build a table, make jewellery—not necessarily for the end goal, but to be in the process of creating something. Inspiration usually follows. Of course, it also helps that I work full-time as a graphic designer, so I can allow myself to take extended periods away from painting if I’m not feeling inspired.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
For many, many years my ‘studio' was whatever space I could eke out in my bedroom or whatever sharehouse I was living in. I now have a very large desk in another room in the house—feels luxurious! A sort of office, painting / pyrography / clay building / printmaking space / dance studio… whatever I need it to be in the moment. Organised chaos, but with a door I can close.
How does where you grew up, or where you live now affect your art?
Where I grew up and the multiple cities I’ve lived in have created a sense of self that definitely makes its way into my self-portraiture. Also living in Australia and being so close to nature, discoveries and native plant life found on my daily COVID walks have made their way into my still life works.
If you could go on an Artist’s Residency anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
It’s not really something I’ve looked into, but somewhere in Europe maybe.
What’s next for you after your time at Brunswick Street Gallery? What upcoming projects are you working on now?
I’m currently painting another self-portrait in oil as well as trying egg tempera for the first time.
What does your selection as one of the winners of this SMALL WORKS ART PRIZE mean to you, and to the future of your practice?
It’s a great boost and encourages me to put my work out there more, do more exhibitions and try for more art prizes!
Awarded the Honourable Mention – Chapman & Bailey Prize, Brittany Jones will receive a $400 voucher for services from Chapman & Bailey.