Brandy Baxter was born and raised in Pamlico County, where she discovered her love for painting and drawing. She pursued her Associates in Fine Arts at Craven Community College and has continued her practice since. She is an active artist within the New Bern Community. Her work has been featured at Greater Good Gallery, The Gallery on Craven Co-op, StarDust Gallery and now the Craven Arts Council & Gallery. Brandy now works as a tattoo artist at Lucky Street Tattoos where she showcases her talent in yet another form.
Where are you from, and how did you get into making and creating art?
I’m from Pamlico county. Growing up my mother would always find different crafts and projects to do, as a child I always liked drawing. But it wasn’t until high school that I started seeing art as more than just pencil and paper.
I know you work as a tattoo artist, but you also work in other traditional art mediums. What fine art mediums do you primary like to work in, and why?
I love working with watercolors, to me they are very liberating and there is something so simple and beautiful in the effects they can create. I also love working with acrylics, I can be very impatient at times so I love the ease of use with acrylics.
Speaking about your tattoo art and fine art practices, what sort of relationship do you see between the two? How do they affect each other?
There are a lot of similarities between the two. They both carry the same principles but the application is very different. Like with any medium you work with, tattooing has its own rules as far as application, what will work and what won’t work in order for the final result to be clean, legible, look good but also with the skin being a living canvas, you also have to consider how it will age and look great in years to come. I feel the two have a tremendous impact on each other. As I grow as a tattoo artist I also see that growth in my fine arts practices.
Is there a theme to your work, or do you have several themes?
Generally my pieces don’t have an overall theme, they are just thoughts or feelings from a particular time.
Is there another artist in your field or another that inspires you or whose work you admire?
Tons! Alphonse Mucha has always been a huge inspiration, Shawn Barber, Hannah Flowers, Jo Black, Theresa Sharp who are a few female tattoo artist who also put out some incredible fine art pieces. Another person who has always inspired me is Ralph Steadman. His work is just so free and in your face, I love it.
In one sentence, can you tell me what art is to you?
Art is personal expression and interpretation.
Is there any award, exhibition or specific piece you’re particularly proud of, and why?
I’d have to say overall I have always been most proud of my self-portrait I did while attending Craven Community College. For starters it’s really the first piece I could see all of my hard work to better my artistic craft pay off, as well as it was a lot about me realizing my true self, imperfections and all.
Do you have any advice for other artists or aspiring artists about their artwork, career, or anything else?
PRACTICE, PRACTICE PRACTICE! I could never stress that enough! Starting out I’ll be honest my work was mediocre at best, with practicing day in and out for years I grew into the artist I am today, and with that I have all the confidence to paint what I truly feel and not hold back and to display those deep inner emotions or thoughts for many others to see. People gravitate towards pieces that they can relate to or makes them feel something, so just be honest in your work and your intentions and the rest will follow.
What’s one goal or dream you have related to your artistic practice?
Honestly I have already reached it, to become a tattoo artist has always been my dream. But with that being said just “To be the best Artist I can be.” As an artist it’s easy for us to compare ourselves to other artists. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, A goal is always to improve all of my artistic weakness. I know my potential is limitless, it will always be a goal of mine to learn, do and create more.
I know you have a Director’s Gallery Exhibition at Bank of the Arts for October, but where else can people find your work?
Social media (@twinbbrandy) is a great outlet to see any of my past or present works. I also display my pieces at my Work station at Lucky Street Tattoo in James city.
By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.