At the Gallery

From Brittany:

I trained at Ball State University under watercolorist Marilynn Derwenskus. I was a fellow to Marilynn Derwenskus for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006, and earned my BFA in Painting.

Shortly after college I began a career in graphic design. For the next 16 years my time was spent at a computer working with fonts, colors, and copy. At the same time I was a wife, mother of two biological children, and foster parent of another child, so my life and family kept me very busy. Painting, though still very much a part of my life, was no longer the central focus of my time.

In 2023, I left my full-time graphic design job and transitioned to contract design work, allowing me to focus more on my family and painting. That same year, as I turned 40, I set a goal of completing 40 paintings in my 40th year. After achieving that goal, I felt it was time to begin sharing my work with others.

While my college work focused more on portraiture and making statements, my current paintings center on places I have visited with my family. I am inspired by strong lighting and dramatic shadows. I am drawn to subjects featuring typography—especially weathered signage—partly due to my years working as a graphic designer. I love faded paint, rusted nails, and reflective lightbulbs—the combination of natural erosion with man-made color and words. Each painting holds a memory for me. I hope my work evokes memories for viewers as well, encouraging them to observe the world around them rather than taking their surroundings for granted.

I currently live in Warsaw, Indiana with my family. I work part-time, allowing more time to paint and create.