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Symbolically Yours From Canada

Symbolically Yours From Canada – through the eyes of a Canadian Artist

I began life on an island on the western-most point in Canada, like a puzzle piece that was never placed in the final map of Canada. As a consequence, my preoccupation became everything that existed in my country, but not my island home. What informed my work began with ‘popular culture’ and stereotype.

Over the years I became more interested in authentic experiences. I began to travel to gain a true understanding of my country, and in returning to my island home, a better understanding of the culture in which I was raised.

By boat, plane, train, cab, Uber, Jeep, canoe, and on foot; I explored my country of Canada. Along the way the voices of the people, places, sounds and smells were absorbed into my subconscious. Through conversation, photography, video and writing; I recorded my journey for future excavation.

The work I developed because of this journey began with an exhibition titled #ICONICCANUCK, a hashtag I created for use on Twitter to connect with people across the country. My persona became #ICONICCANUCK and I developed my own painting genre known as ‘Pop Canadianisms’ my own brand of ‘Canadian’ pop realism.

As my explorations into the Canadian consciousness deepened, my work began to focus on my thoughts about a balance with nature, other cultures, and women in Canadian Art. I began repeatedly painting myself into the landscapes of Canadian Art history, as if to say, “I’m here, I’m a female Canadian Artist, and I have something important to say.”

Featuring 51 paintings created over the past decade, creating an open dialogue of what it means to be Canadian. These paintings are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness.

Paintings with red dots are SOLD. All paintings in the exhibition are original acrylic on canvas and ready to hang on your wall!

UPDATED March 2021: THIS EXHIBITION IS NOW CLOSED. DETAILS ABOUT ALL EXHIBITIONS HERE.

TO see all ARTWORKS from Brandy Saturley, please visit the online gallery.

June 29, 2020

The Work of Art

Advice for Artists, Uncategorized

The Work of Art is Ever Evolving

The work of Art is ever-evolving and so is the job of the Artist. This is a fluid career, where multi-tasking is a pre-requisite and if juggling isn’t your thing, you should stick with a 9-5. Now that is not to say that you can’t work a 9-5 and make art in your downtime, you absolutely can and it is much easier to do this than work as a full-time artist. Better yet, wait until you have retired from your 9-5, then make art your hobby, sell a few paintings here and there, maybe even find a gallery to represent your work, no pressure. Most who make art shouldn’t quit their day jobs, it’s a tough road and one that is not for most. For me, it is a ‘requirement’ like oxygen, if I were not doing it, I could not breath.

If you do decide to put it all on the line, and go full tilt at an art career full-time, you will need a support network that is SOLID. Your spouse or significant other, should be your BIGGEST FAN, if they are not, then don’t pursue your art full-time. The times when you need a shoulder to lean on, or someone to kick you in the butt and out of the ‘I must be crazy to think I can do this’ mode, you will need your ‘superfan’ at your side.

Thankfully I have a ‘superfan’ and a solid circle of supporters who’ve got me when the going gets tough, and it does, oddly enough it in fact is what keeps me moving forward. When you hit a certain stage in your career as a visual artist, you will find yourself being chased by many who want a piece and will grab at your ankles, pulling you back down. This is when you have to cut yourself loose from past relationships.

As a self representing full-time visual artist, I have carved a career that is unique to me and my brand of Art. Any given week/month/year is lined with hurdles and wins that only I can make happen. It is a truly wonderful thing.

So, what does a week or month in my world look like? Here is a rundown of things I am juggling currently;

I am working on two collaborative series of paintings; the Mountain Forms Collective and The People of Canada Portrait Project. In the first I am painting mountainscapes with an artist in Calgary, shipping canvasses back and forth between two provinces. The Portrait Project is a series of paintings from photos submitted by everyday Canadians.

I am painting new landscapes inspired by my travels across North America, photography and writing.

I just released my first edition of fine art prints, celebrating a decade of the ‘Canadianisms’ body of work, a series of paintings inspired by Canada (now over 90 original paintings)

I manage three websites for my Art; along with my social media channels of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – yes, I use LinkedIn

I just finished writing a newsletter to clients and also stay in touch with numerous clients over email and social media

I just prepared several prints for shipping – sales management and bookkeeping

I am working to book solo and collaborative exhibitions of my work for the 2021/22 exhibition season

I am planning my next art trip, last year was a month in London at the Royal College of Art, the year before I was on Maui for a month

I am looking at presentation/teaching session at a local Arts School

Oh, and I am writing this blog.

These are just a few things I can tell you about.

I do sleep, and I do take the weekend off from my studio, but during the week I am working constantly.

I just painted the shit out this last piece, and am working on three new pieces that will be done by next week.

Damn I love my work, it comes with the deepest depths of self exploration and self-awareness. It comes with a deep intuitive understanding of the world and what is needed. It is deeply empathetic, with my fingers on the pulse of the world. I am incredibly disciplined and self-motivated, and I am here to learn, to teach, to do more than I did yesterday.

Pep talk, sure.

Around we go again.

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy

March 2, 2020

Vancouver 2010 Olympics Inspires

Artist Process

How the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Influenced A Decade of Painting.

The year was 2010, and I had been working as a full-time professional Canadian artist for 3 years. Before that I was doing what many do in my profession, work a side job to pay the bills, while making Art in my off hours. During the Vancouver 2010 Olympics the city of Vancouver was punctuated with Canadian stereotype, and the air thick with smells of maple syrup pride. I came home from the experience with visions of red, maple leaves, and hockey. All these experiences zipping across my temporal lobe.

I attended a Canucks game shortly after the Vancouver Olympic Games, Roberto Luongo in goal, the energy from the Games still in the arena. The chanting still strong, the singing of the Canadian National Anthem louder than ever before. I am pretty sure if you were walking outside the stadium, you could hear the voices ringing out within!

Up until this point in my career as an artist, the sport of Hockey had yet to appear in my work. This year was different. On the tail of our Canadian hockey gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, hockey fever was stronger than ever, and it was hard to ignore the buzz. I could not ignore the energy and enthusiasm of everyone around me, and Hockey found its way into my brain, and onto my canvas.

On my travels across Canada I have taken thousands of photos for reference, and as I scoured I came across the rookie mask of Hockey Great, Ken Dryden, whose mask resides at the Hockey Hall of Fame. I was taken with the character of the mask, as in Dryden’s day the mold of the mask actually resembled the shape of the players face very distinctly, so that even though it is beaten up with nicks and dents, you can still see his face whenever you see the mask. I developed a deep appreciation of how dangerous the game was for him back then, with the mask as proof, it is pitted so badly that it is a wonder his face survived the game. Impressive and inspiring.

The painting now affectionately known across Canada as, ‘The Goalie’s Mask Painting‘ marks the first in a series that began as ‘Iconic’. Later Growing into a body of work known as ‘Pop Canadianisms’, under my social media persona and hashtag #ICONICCANUCK. The first solo exhibition of the work, which took place in Edmonton Alberta, was titled, #ICONICCANUCK. THe name coming to me after promoting my work, and engaging through the use of social media and Twitter. I spent a week as curator of the @peopleofcanada Twitter account in 2013, the rest is history.

A decade in, and my pop visions of Canada continue to evolve. Now with approximately 90 paintings in the series, this series just keeps on growing. My touring solo exhibitions in 2017, featured 30 of the paintings from the first 5 years of the series.

It has been a fascinating, interactive, productive, and reflective decade of learning on all fronts. In many ways the enthusiasm and feedback from collectors, fans, and friends have provided additional fuel to keep going. With every photograph I take, and every contemplative moment shared on social media. Whether it is my process as an artist, my space, the work, or the journey; if it touches even one person, I feel my contributions to the collective consciousness are a celebration of Canada.

Below are 10 of my favourite paintings from the past 10 years of painting Pop Canadianisms;

10. Poppies For Louise

9. The Goalie’s Mask Painting

8. Under A Borealis Sky

7. Canoe View

6. Charity

5. Remember Us

4. Let Your Backbone Rise

3. Feathers Over Blanket

2. Complementary Canoes

1. Face Off

Here’s to Canada!

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

February 13, 2020

Canadian Flag Art

Canadian Art

O Canada! Eleven Paintings for Flag Day in Canada.

Eleven paintings celebrating the Canadian Flag in Art for flag day in Canada. I began painting ‘Pop Canadianisms’ in 2010, these paintings inspired by Canada’s popular culture, symbols, landscapes and icons have taken me on an unforgettable journey, as sweet as maple syrup! As a result, the iconic Canadian Flag of red, white and maple leaf appear throughout my paintings of the past decade. Whether using the composition of the Canadian flag, the maple leaf emblem or painting the flag waving in the landscape, I have the Maple Leaf flag imprinted on my temporal lobe. National Flag of Canada Day is observed annually on February 15th across Canada, to commemorate the inauguration of the maple leaf flag in 1965. Amid much controversy, the Maple Leaf flag replaced the Canadian Red Ensign, which had been in conventional use as a Canadian national flag since 1868. In 2022, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, I found myself painting the Canadian and UK flags at half staff signifying the end of an era. Because I love Canada, that is why I am obsessed with her iconography.

The maple leaf flag, and use of the composition, have appeared in my paintings dozens of times over the past decade, here are 11 of my favourite paintings that feature the Canadian flag from the past decade.

1. End of An Era, 2022

2. Stitched in Canada, 2020

3. Under A Borealis Sky, 2011

4. From the Forest to The See, 2016

5. Goalie’s Mask; red, white & Dryden, 2011

6. Poppies For Louise, 2011

7. On Guard, 2013

8. Canoe View, 2016

9. Rubber & Bone (Canadian still life), 2012

10. West Coast View, 2011

11. Lovers in a Dangerous Time, 2015

Confronting the Enormity of Canada has become an obsession. I began life on an island on the western-most point in Canada, called Vancouver Island. As a consequence, my preoccupation became everything that existed in my country, but not my island home. My paintings encompass themes related to Canadian popular culture, symbolism, and the landscape; distinctly rendered in my signature pop realism aesthetic. Now over 70 paintings in this collection, view featured artworks from this distinctive Canadian Art collection now.

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

February 12, 2020

2019 in Canadian Art

Canadian Art, The Year in Art

2019 in Canadian Art, My Year in Painting.

In 2010 I set a goal for myself, to paint 25 to 35 new paintings every year and to do at least one thing every year in my art career, that I didn’t think I could achieve. For me goals are important motivators, and as a professional artist who lives a life open to all possibilities, a little structure helps to keep the business side of this career moving forward, and not in circles. Circles are important, they are like pauses to swim in the lake of life, soaking up new experiences, where the inception of new ideas begin. But, I cannot languish in the lake for too long, as I would never get beyond the lake, and I like the challenge that comes with riding the waves of the ocean.

2019 began with a bang, and it took me from my island home of Vancouver Island, across the country, to the USA and even the United Kingdom. When asked the question; “if you could be a famous artist, who would you be?” my answer is always, Brandy Saturley a year from now, as the only one I am chasing is me, and the only one I am competing with, is me.

Here is my 2019 in Art.

January – new work and new ideas

Three paintings into a new series of paintings inspired by my travels across North America, featuring ‘people in the landscape’. The gathering of friends, family and strangers to marvel at the landscape, it is something as familiar as breathing, moments shared contemplating nature.

January also included a new initiative, as we began to work on what would become the first fine art offering of it’s kind, ‘The Box Sets’ original art collections.

In February, we launched the first ‘Box Sets’ original art collection and I traveled to the Okanagan for some snowy mountain inspiration.

In March, I spent my studio days surrounded by snow with a good amount of the white stuff falling on Vancouver Island. The energy is high when it snows here, it is like a late Christmas present that brings brightness to gray winter days.

in March a new painting inspired by sunrise on Salt Spring Island, in Ganges Harbour was completed. The painting not being quite enough to satisfy, I continued on with painting the crate that would house the painting, adding skateboard wheels for mobility.

Then I hit the road again, this time headed to Edmonton for art business.

Coming home through Calgary, with a stop at Fairmont Lake Louise…

an iconic beacon on the continental divide, Mount Robson.

April showers bring, more art. New paintings completed for the Mountain Forms Collective, painting collaboration with Calgary artist, Gisa Mayer.

A new painting for the People of Canada Portrait Project.

May the force be with you! I don’t mean to be punny. A chance to explore with my camera, the work behind the art. One of my photos, now available to license on Getty images.

A new painting, this time a diptych (two canvasses) inspired by shared experiences in the landscape and the music of the Beatles.

The second round of ‘Box Sets’ art collections were launched to the public.

June! one month to London, you heard that right. Earlier in the year I was invited to join the Contemporary Art Summer Intensive at the Royal College of Art in London, England. in June I was packing and ordering supplies for my month in the UK.

I also completed a new painting for the People of Canada portrait project, this time a self portrait of the artist and her muses.

July, I left on a Dreamliner to London, and set up my studio in the Painting wing of the Royal College of Art, Battersea campus. One month of making, talking, exploring art in the world’s financial centre.

During my time in London I painted four large scale works on loose duck canvas, and a few smaller pieces on paper.

I also toured a number of museums and art galleries including; White Cube, Barbican, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Design Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Library, and White Chapel to name a handful.

In August, we were preparing for a solo show at Dyson Gallery – 22 artists from around the world. It was the experience of a lifetime.

Upon returning home from London, I immediately threw myself into new large landscape paintings, influenced by my time working at the Royal College of Art over the early summer.

In September, while I was painting this large landscape I also began a smaller work on stretched canvas. Two red muskoka chairs, by the light of the silvery full moon.

By the time October rolled around I was working to finish the paintings above, and I was talking to a documentary film crew from Winnipeg and Victoria. The Passion Project Series is a docuseries being launched in 2020. I spent two days with the crew sharing my process, talking about my career, and showing a bit of the behind the scenes of my process. We talked about hockey, family, influences, challenges and success as a Canadian artist. I can’t wait to see the series and share my episode with you.

November began with another large format landscape painting, seven feet wide and on un-stretched canvas duck. This time my focus was Lake Louise in Banff Alberta.

Production of my annual art magazine/catalogue was completed – you can get yours here.

I set up a private art lounge meeting area outside my studio – for collectors, curators and press visits.

In December, after all the paintings were shipped, gifts wrapped and mail sent out, I jetted off to Las Vegas for a re-charge and to take in some of the best art exhibits in the world. Ate too much, drank too much, and celebrated too much. What happens in Vegas…

Tim Burton – Lost Vegas at the Neon Boneyard, 2019

The year included the production and sale of 21 new paintings, travel to Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Banff, Las Vegas and London, England. One exhibition in London, the launch of the Box Sets, a documentary film crew and mountains of snow almost covering my studio windows. There was inventory, newsletters, website updates, and a move of my art vault to my home. I set up a lounge for private meetings and worked on the largest paintings of my career. There were a couple magazine features, but can’t even remember what those were now. I had the privilege of seeing many great art exhibitions, learning new things from talented people and teaching things to eager young artists. I think one of the reasons I write a year in review is so that I can recall what actually happened in a year, and so I can plan for the coming years. I am thankful to those who collaborated with me and to those who continue to collaborate, I am enjoying the journey, what a ride! There were challenging days, and big moves. There was rejection and the sweetest of rewards. What will 2020 hold? for one, there will be limited edition art prints.

Here we go!

Sincerely Yours,

Brandy Saturley

January 7, 2020

Famous Canadian Landscape

Artist Process, New Paintings

Painting a Famous Canadian Landscape: A Tribute to Lake Louise

Lake Louise, located in Banff, Alberta, has been a source of inspiration for me on numerous occasions. Whether I visit during the vibrant summer months when the lake reflects shades of tropical turquoise or in the midst of winter, when the ice is thick enough for various recreational activities, the beauty of this iconic Canadian landscape never fails to captivate me. Throughout my art career, I have painted Lake Louise and its majestic peaks nine times, each rendition representing a different stage of my artistic journey.

Imagine Canoe: painting of a Blackfoot chief at Lake Louise, with red canoe

Following my return from London, I embarked on a new artistic venture: painting immense landscapes on unstretched duck canvas. My first undertaking in this style was Princess Louisa Inlet, situated on the sunshine coast of British Columbia. Rumored to be named after Princess Louise, or perhaps even Queen Victoria’s mother, this landscape became the initial exploration of my large-scale artistic vision. Subsequently, I completed my second expansive work, measuring an impressive seven feet in width, in December. This piece pays homage to the breathtaking view of Lake Louise, as seen from the eastern shoreline of the Fairmont Lake Louise, facing west.

The Sound of a Landscape – Princess Louisa Inlet: oversized acrylic landscape painting by Brandy Saturley

In the summer of 2019, my art career took me to London, England, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth. This fortuitous timing granted me access to the monarch’s archives, allowing me to share the mementos and stories of her personal life—a side seldom glimpsed, especially on such a grand scale. During my time in London, the exhibition “Victoria: Woman & Crown” at Kensington Palace intrigued me the most. It offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the royal curtain, showcasing the love for the arts shared by Victoria and Prince Albert. The exhibition even included some of Victoria’s own personal paintings. Notably, there are significant connections between my hometown of Victoria, Canada (named after the monarch), and the province of Alberta (named after Victoria’s fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta). The name “Alberta” itself, derived from the feminine form of Albert and rooted in German, conveys a meaning of brightness, nobility, and fame.

Portrait of a young Queen Victoria, Kensington Palace, London England 2019

Both the Queen and Princess Louise were staunch supporters of the arts in their public lives. Louise, an accomplished sculptor and artist, was also a strong advocate for the feminist movement. The naming of Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, serves as a testament to the lasting influence of the monarch.

During the creation of this large-scale Canadian landscape painting, I documented my daily progress in the studio through time-lapse filming. By condensing the footage, viewers can witness the numerous layers of acrylic color applied repetitively until the desired hues, form, and depth are achieved. Personally, I find that painting to music helps establish the desired atmosphere in my studio. Consequently, when editing this short film, I sought out music that not only complements the tone of the film but also resonates with the final artwork itself.

Brandy Saturley working on oversized landscape painting of Lake Louise, Alberta Canada

Through this oversized tribute to Lake Louise, I hope to convey the profound beauty and timeless allure of this famous Canadian landscape. With every brushstroke, I aim to capture the essence of a place that holds a special significance in both the natural and cultural heritage of Canada.

Watch the entire process of painting, Lake Louise Swish here:

See more photos and read about the painting here:

Oversized painting of Lake Louise inside Brandy Saturley studio.

See past works inspired by Lake Louise on the artists’ website here:

Poppies For Louise – by Brandy Saturley

January 2, 2020

Large Scale Landscape Painting

Artist Process

October 30, 2019

Royal College of Art

Artist Residency, London Art Scene

Experimentation and Growth: New Art Made in London at The Royal College of Art Summer Intensive

I recently returned home from a month of art making, art talking, and art education experience in London, England. In my previous blog posts I talk about this compressed and intensive art experience in detail. I also explain the impetus for the works created during my time at the Royal College of Art, on the beautiful Battersea campus, just outside central London in the borough of Wandsworth. Known as the ‘brighter borough’ the roadway sign and symbol for this area of London includes the iconic Battersea Power Station, which in outline looks somewhat like the city of Oz, with a rainbow arc above the outline of the city. My previous posts discuss in detail my timeline while at the RCA as well as the detailed stories behind the art.

For this post I am sharing more photos of my studio and the work produced while in London. Please scroll on for photos of these works that I refer to as the ‘Mirrors’ series. These are mirrors of my London experiences and the feelings being pulled from within, while I worked through my three weeks of this intensive contemporary art making experience.

Somewhere over the rainbow, and under the towering skyscrapers of London, these are the ‘MIRRORS’ paintings.

Painting I: Topsy Turvy (Rorschach for the UK)

acrylic on raw canvas, poured and brushed,

72 inches high by 53 inches wide,

Brandy Saturley 2019

Painting II: Mirror for a Queen (Victoria)

acrylic on primed canvas, poured and brushed,

added paper collage

72 inches high by 53 inches wide,

Brandy Saturley 2019

Painting III: The Countess (mirror)

acrylic on primed canvas, poured and brushed,

added paper collage

72 inches high by 53 inches wide,

Brandy Saturley 2019

Painting IV: The Metamorphosis (mirror)

acrylic on primed canvas, poured and brushed,

added paper collage

72 inches high by 53 inches wide,

Brandy Saturley 2019

Painting V: The Internal (mirror) diptych

acrylic on sanded arches paper

added pen details

2 – 13.5″ high x 10 inches wide

Brandy Saturley 2019

A view inside my studio at Royal College of Art, Sackler Painting studios, on the Battersea campus.

For more in depth descriptions of the artists’ process and meaning behind these paintings, please read the previous blog post.

August 21, 2019

Inspired by Queen Victoria

Artist Process, London Art Scene

The Discomfort Zone – Making Art Inspired by Queen Victoria

I am continually trying to make choices that put me outside of my comfort zone, it is the only way I know how to grow. When I find myself ‘too comfortable’ in life and in my art practice, I get agitated and anxious, and I need to get out and test myself and push my boundaries. I call it the ‘discomfort zone’ and sometimes it comes with kicking and screaming, but it always delivers! At the beginning of the year I decided to accept an invitation to join the contemporary art summer intensive at the Royal College of Art in London, United Kingdom. Yes, this Vancouver Island artist, born in Victoria British Columbia, hit London this summer, during Queen Victoria’s 200th anniversary party, for some zone pushing of the contemporary art kind. Making Art inspired by Queen Victoria.

It was a transformative experience, as I talk about the programme in detail in my previous blog post. During my month in London I created four new large format paintings on unstretched canvas, and two smaller works. These new works are visceral and come from deep down within. When looking at how and what I would paint during my time at the RCA, I began with looking at the current political state of affairs, with Brexit and Boris Johnson dominating the media coverage in the United Kingdom. As I have been commenting on Canadian popular culture for the past decade, I thought I might find some common themes in London. The first painting I created upon arrival in my studio at the Sackler building at the RCA, was a painting of the Union Jack flag. Much like Canada, the UK has a very strong ‘brand’ and identity based on their flag. The appeal of the flag to this Canadian artist is undeniable, and I had to have a go at creating a comment on the undercurrents felt upon my arrival. I decided to begin with raw canvas, no layer of gesso or primer, I began to pour the paint Jackson Pollock style on the raw canvas, while laid on the floor of my studio. After, rather than take my brush and spread the paint around, I chose to fold the canvas in half, then stomped with my feet and used my hands to spread the paint like peanut butter between two slices of bread. I was creating a mirror image, a Rorshack if you will, offering symmetry between the two sides and many opportunities to see things within the abstract application of paint.

Once dry, I hung the painting on the wall. Many images were appearing to me and I decided to grab a brush and add some depth and dimension to the piece, as well as a contrast of Indian yellow, an orange-yellow to the composition. I wanted to comment on the ‘topsy turvy’ nature of the nation and the feeling of ‘which way is up’, as I felt this undercurrent throughout my time in London. I began to turn the canvas and settled on a vertical display, adding to the comment on the uncertainty of the times in London.

As I moved through my work at the college I was looking to keep pushing the boundaries and go deeper, more visceral, and more personal. The next painting began after taking in the Queen Victoria exhibition at Kensington Palace. I found the show to be very moving as it touched on her difficulty with child birth and her responsibilities as Queen. Throughout the show paintings of the Queen are framed ornately in circular frames of carved wood gilded with gold, I began to create next, what would become mirrors on canvas. Perhaps influenced by my visit to Kensington Palace and into the archives of a Queen, whom my city is named after. Being born and living in the capital of British Columbia, Victoria is close to my heart.

Developing a body of work – an ode to Victoria – Brandy Saturley in Sackler studios at RCA Battersea campus.

Mirror of My Soul – poured painting with painterly brush details and paper collage, by Brandy Saturley 2019 – created in the Sackler studios at the RCA in London UK

As I came to complete my second painting, I found a new direction and the potential for a series of paintings based on the ‘mirror reflection’ theme. I also confirmed a consistent size for these pieces on unstretched canvas. At 73 inches long by 53 inches wide, they were lovely large draped pieces, almost like tapestries. I began to create the next two pieces side-by-side, in conversation with one another. This time I decided to paint the background of the canvasses in raw umber and red tones, reaching deeper into the soul.

Mirror Mirror – these two paintings were poured first, then painterly brush details were added after hanging. The palette of each piece includes gilded gold tones on the outer edges, reminiscent of the frames seen in both Kensington and Buckingham Palace. 2019 Brandy Saturley

During my time in London I also visited Buckingham Palace, which was showing another elaborate Queen Victoria exhibition. The lavish textures, deep jewel toned hues, gilded gold frames and trims were burnt into my brain, clearly influential in the creation of these new paintings.

Framed painting of Queen Victoria as seen at Kensington Palace in London UK. Exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria.

In the final group exhibition I chose to show the three works that were consistent with the ‘mirrors’ theme. With my signature vivid palette and rainbow hues, the three paintings became portals, and beings of their own. I also created two other works on paper which were not exhibited in the final show, but were nice compliments to the three larger works. I am very pleased with these new paintings and am looking forward to how this time in London, influences my future work.

paintings at Royal College of Art Dyson gallery

Final works created by Brandy Saturley at Royal College of Art Summer Contemporary Art intensive, July/August 2019. Shown here in the artists painting studios in the Sackler building at RCA Battersea.

Final exhibition: ‘What is an Image’ at Dyson Gallery, Royal College of Art in Battersea London, United Kingdom.

For more information about these paintings please email us. See the full portfolio of paintings by Brandy Saturley here.

August 20, 2019

Royal College of Art London

Art Opening, Artist Process, London Art Scene

Making Art at the Royal College of Art in London

London is the capital of, and largest city, in England, and the United Kingdom. It is known as the financial centre of the world and one of the world’s Art & Culture centres. From the Fine Arts at iconic institutions such as the Royal College of Art, to Literary Arts and Theatre to classical and popular music, London is a destination for Artists and art lovers alike.

Earlier this year, I was looking for an opportunity to challenge myself and disrupt my studio work of the past couple decades. As I enter mid-career as an artist, I am feeling myself moving into a new chapter with my art and the way I make paintings. I feel the best way to access new ways of making art, experiment, and freshen up my practice, is to make art in one of the worlds art centres. Far away from my western Canadian home, on Vancouver Island. I was looking for a professional experience, where I could access the best minds in the business and find out how my artwork would fare, in an International setting. My work has become nationally recognized in Canada over the past decade, I was now looking at moving beyond Canada, and London came calling.

Tower Bridge London, UK – photo Brandy Saturley

In February this year, I was invited to join the Contemporary Art Summer Intensive Program at the Royal College of Art in London, England. The Royal College of Art (RCA) is rated the number one postgraduate college for art and design in the world. Delivering numerous Masters and PHD level programs in art, design and humanities; the college attracts the best of the best on the International art scene. Beginning in July, this intensive course ran over three weeks during the busiest and hottest summer the city has ever seen. A peek inside my time at the Royal College of Art…

Royal College of Art Dyson Building – Battersea campus

Week 1: my week began with setting up in the painting studios in the Sackler building on the Battersea campus, followed by an afternoon of presentations from faculty, alumni, staff and the 22 artists in this year’s summer program. Originating from Italy, Spain, NYC, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China, Macao, and London; we all presented our work in the Gorvy Lecture Theatre over the course of the afternoon.

Brandy Saturley presenting Gorvy Lecture Theatre RCA

With our studios open and available 7 days a week, most nights until 8pm, we began independent study and creating new work under the influence of our course leader, Despina Zacharopoulou. (Born in Greece, Zacharopoulou is a performance artist who holds a Master in Fine Arts, a Master in Visual Arts (Costume Design – Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts), and an Msc in Architecture. Apart from her artistic practice, she has been involved in academic teaching. She has participated in various exhibitions in Greece, Belgium, Russia and the UK and has received scholarships and awards for her academic achievements. Her biggest large-scale performance project so far was a seven week (324hrs) long durational performance entitled “Corner Time” commissioned by the Marina Abramovic Institute.)

Course leader Despina Zacharopoulou and Dean of RCA

Our first week included the hottest day on record for London at 40 degrees Celsius, this made for added challenges as we began creating new work and adjusting to our new routine in a very busy city. My week included art gallery visits to South London art gallery, WhiteChapel Gallery and the endlessly fascinating, Flat Time House. (Flat Time House was the studio home of British conceptual artist John Latham and is now open as a contemporary art gallery, centre for alternative learning and artist residency space, housing the John Latham archive.)

Flat Time House in Peckham, London

From first week tutorials with leading artists and alumni from around the world, to a film screening and discussion, we were well on our way to quickly integrating into this new art community. We were already finding ourselves experimenting with new ways of communicating, through the use of our chosen mediums.

RCA Sackler Studios - Brandy Saturley work in progress

RCA Sackler Studios – Union Jack painting by Brandy Saturley work in progress

Week 2: the weekend played an important role in offering concentrated studio time, preparing for our first critique sessions (crits) over the second week. The course continued with film screenings, and a writing workshop with Dr. Chantal Faust. (Dr Chantal Faust is an artist, writer and Senior Tutor at the RCA. Her photographic, painting, video and installation works have been exhibited in the UK, Australia and North America. Faust has contributed book chapters to contemporary art publications, and regularly writes for academic journals, magazines, and exhibition catalogues.)

Dr. Chantal Faust and Brandy Saturley discussing work week 1

We found new ways of accessing our internal, visceral voice as artists, as we worked through movement and performance workshops led by Despina Zacharopoulou. This second week ended with more concentrated time in the studio.

performance workshop at RCA

The transformation begins: At this point I began to experience a transformative moment in my artwork, spurred on by the writing and performance workshops earlier in the week. Like many of the artists in the program, we began to move beyond our initial ideas and plans for art making. Ideas we had brought with us from our respective homes, and began making new work based on our experiences in the program, and influenced by our time in London. We were becoming like a ‘hive-mind’ of sorts, where our studio mates and our shared experiences were helping to form deep connections to our inner artist voices. Many of our interactions and workshops were quite intimate, which can often be foreign to the modern-day artist as we are sequestered in our studios alone, a great deal of the time. I also found that the use of technology, computer communication, and social media fell to the wayside in favour of personal connections.

Taking on #Brexit – The Art of Brandy Saturley

Week 3: our last week began with working through our final details and preparing our works for the group exhibition on Friday. Our final tutorial sessions came on the Tuesday and I was pleased to be paired with Professor Jo Stockham for my final tutorial session. Jo has a wealth of knowledge and experience that I found valuable to my work as a painter.

photo of Brandy Saturley in studio by Hattie Allen

(Jo Stockham professor and Head of the Printmaking programme since 2008. She began working at the Royal College of Art in 1993 as a Visiting Lecturer in Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking. After studying painting at Falmouth School of Art, Jo worked at Chisenhale Studios for two years before undertaking an MA in Sculpture at Chelsea College of Art and Design. Returning to Chisenhale, she initiated an education programme with local schools and helped build Chisenhale Gallery, an experience which was formative in her desire to work in and create public spaces alongside studio work. Over the next 20 years, her studio practice was supported by running workshops for the Whitechapel Gallery, Tate, Camden Arts Centre and part-time teaching. Her first full-time teaching position commenced in 2008 when she became head of Printmaking at the RCA.)

A final film screening and a day of installing the show rounded out the week.

installing the show at RCA Dyson Gallery

FINAL DAY AND SHOW: on our final day at the college we spent the day participating in final crits under the bold leadership of Professor Johnny Golding. (Johnny Golding is Professor of Philosophy & Fine Art, and Senior Tutor at the RCA. Born in NYC, Golding lived in Toronto carrying out PHD studies at the Universities of Toronto and Cambridge.)

talking about contemporary art – work by Brandy Saturley

Golding was joined by Habda Rashid, curator of WhiteChapel Gallery (Habda Rashid is Assistant Curator at the Whitechapel Gallery, working on a variety of exhibitions including; commissions solo and survey shows. As part of her role she also coordinates, edits and writes in exhibition catalogues. Habda is also a visiting tutor on the MFA programme at, Goldsmith University and has sat on the selection panel for Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin.)

Habda Rashid - painting by Brandy Saturley

Habda Rashid curator WhiteChapel – painting Brandy Saturley

A spirited day of crits followed by an evening opening of our final art exhibition at the RCA Dyson Gallery; for alumni, staff, patrons and public.

It was an intense three weeks, with a fourth spent on my own exploring all London has to offer. I am still processing all the information and thinking about how my experiences in London will push my work forward as a professional artist. Unlike many of the artists and instructors I met, I rely solely on the sales of my work and commissions to support my full-time art career and not on income from teaching or a job on the side. It will be interesting to see where my work ends up from here and look forward to developing my relationships abroad, as I work towards my goal of exhibiting and selling work internationally.

Final exhibition Dyson Gallery

Your question may be, why does a successful mid-career painter from Canada upset her studio practice and take off to London to go to school and make new artwork. The answer is a continuous need to push beyond the boundaries of the work, the comfort zones. In order to keep me invested, I need to keep growing and risking things as an artist. The need to risk things and push myself into areas where I am not comfortable, it is what has gotten me to the place I am as a professional Canadian artist. I’m a creator and a fighter, and I am here to make the most honest, best work, I can. For routine kills creative thought and we must shake up or perspective, our routine and challenge our point of view, every so often.

Onward and upward! ~ Brandy

About the new paintings: more about the paintings created during my time at the Royal College of Art, with detailed photos.

Brandy Saturley with her paintings at RCA Sackler Studios

*photos on this page courtesy; RCA, Despina Zacharopoulou, Hattie Allen, Mei Kei Lai, Brandy Saturley

August 20, 2019