Interview: stepping into Bridget Bradley’s colorful and vibrant world of self-expression

“Give them something to stare at” proclaims Bridget Bradley. Her name is a synonym for dynamic acrylic paintings that come to life with layers and layers of vibrant splashes of colors that have an ulterior intention: expressing both the darkest and brightest sides of her inner world, reconnecting with herself and through this process, connecting with others.

That connection to life, to the feeling of being alive is deeply rooted in all creative processes. Bradley reminds us that creativity is usually not a destination, but a path of discovery. Some artists had an early calling to be involved in their creative pursuits, and others had role models who inspired them. Some artists realized they could channel their inner world through different mediums under unexpected circumstances, while others found a healthy release in their creative process.

For Bridget, painting came into her life through a mix of all these scenarios. Somehow art creation was always there, but at the same time she needed time and space to experiment with other creative outlets until she found a medium that allow her to express herself, experiment, and, in her own words, “capture my intense emotions and share them through my energizing, uplifting language of color”.

She recently sat down with ArtPlacer to talk about her experience and creative process, as well as her takes on how to build a digital community around her artistic work and where it has led her.

What initially drew you to art?

I grew up in New Zealand and ever since I can remember I loved coloring or sketching animals and the Central Otago landscapes. My mother was a practicing and exhibiting Artist too, as a child, I often watched her paint. Although I painted as a young child, I initially focused on pencil drawing and sketching, along with etching, printmaking, and mixed media, which I studied during school and later at college. Painting didn’t come into my life until much later. 

My previous career as a high-fashion model gave me the privilege to travel and work with creative teams internationally and locally. This ignited my creative side where art and design were never far off of my mind. I decided to take a new path to study at university. I chose to study Psychological Sciences because I was fascinated with how the mind works. However, my studies came to an abrupt halt during the pandemic when I was unable to return to Australia.

At the start of the pandemic, my parents were in Hong Kong, and I decided to have a brief holiday with them. Within a week, the chaos began. Countries suddenly locked down their borders, airports closed, and flights canceled. My flight home was continually bumped off the list and I was unable to return to Australia. What turned out to be a short visit, became a very long visit and eventually, a working holiday.

This impacted everyone. The effects on my own mental health and well-being were significant. To calm my mind during the uncertainty, I remember one day picking up a paint brush, and from that moment on I have painted prolifically. 

Precisely, you’ve mentioned that you channel your emotions through the language of color. What do you express through painting?

As a child, I seemed to have a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the emotions and energy of people, nature, and my surroundings. This could be overwhelming at times, and difficult to talk about, so I expressed this by drawing or painting.

As a professional artist, creating allows me to have a healthy outlet where I can express my intense emotions on a blank canvas. In a sense, my abstract expressionist paintings are a form of therapy that is intertwined with and nurtures my passion. 

How do you navigate the challenge of capturing profound emotions in your artwork?  

I don’t tend to wait for my emotions to process, I just get straight into painting to release any subconscious thoughts, feelings, pressures, or stress. You get the authentic me, in real-time on a canvas, as opposed to my work being contrived. This is the same even if I am happy. Is not really a challenge for me, it is a natural habit.

Can you describe your approach to merging your feelings and energy into your artwork?

Art is my passion and coupled with my inner world, naturally that creates energy and excitement. It allows me to merge my consciousness through my hand and gestures as I paint on the canvas. This consciousness may be mixed with emotions, sensations, a sense of heightened awareness, or thought. 

My abstract expressionist style is intentionally intuitive with spontaneous movement and action painting. That raw consciousness and resultant energy are part of the artwork. It was encouraging when an art curator described my paintings as “exuding a real energy”.

Do you believe art plays a role in promoting well-being not only for you but for those who interact with it?

Art and art culture plays a massive role in promoting well-being for all by adding aesthetics, and other aspects to their daily lives, their outdoor and interior spaces. I believe it is a fundamental part of what makes us human.

My reason for making art is to capture my intense emotions and share them through my energizing, uplifting language of color. I want to inspire, to offer healing and aesthetics to others through my art. My aim is to create art with soul.

As a certified yoga teacher, how do your practice and understanding of yoga intersect with your artistic process? 

While in Hong Kong, I felt an urge to try something completely different, to get out of my comfort zone and yoga was recommended to me as a way to calm and strengthen the mind and body. I happened to stumble upon an outdoor yoga class, quickly found a new love for the practice, and started to notice how much of an impact it had on my mind and health. That’s when I decided to become a Certified Yoga Instructor. This process guided me back to my creative side and painting started to become my focal point.

Yoga intersects with my artistic process in the form of meditation. When I paint, my mind is calm and allows me to release and express what I am experiencing and feeling deep within. It has helped me to understand the importance of breath work and how to integrate that into everyday life. Even as I paint, I try to focus on my breathing, making sure I am inhaling deeply with each brushstroke. 

What artists or art movements have influenced or inspired your work?

I have a love for street art, specifically, Melbourne and Hong Kong street art. That influence is often incorporated into each of my artworks, particularly my love of neon colors. In terms of artists, Jackson Pollock has inspired the movement and fluidity in my action painting style.

You have a solid online presence. How did you build this space and community?

Over time and through trial and error. It didn’t happen overnight that’s for sure. A lot of effort and research has gone into it. I don’t have a team or a virtual assistant managing my social media feed. I am on social media most days, posting authentic content such as reels on Instagram or shorts on YouTube. Anything and everything is content, so I try to film my painting processes and time in the studio to share with my community. It can be exhausting at times however, I am the real face behind those videos, so you get to interact with me, the artist, the creator.

How do you invite viewers and visitors into your unique digital world through your art? 

I try to share pieces of myself and my world with my viewers through the content that I post. I want my viewers to feel like they are in my studio with me, experiencing as though I am painting live for them. That’s why I like to share my painting process by creating unique reels of my artwork.

Can you discuss your experience as a Creative Director for your small business? How do you balance your artistic pursuits with the business?

As an artist, I just want to paint all day and the transition into the business side has not been easy for me. The idea of turning my passion into a serious business as a professional full-time artist and designer came when I finally returned to Australia. 

Finding a balance became a necessity to grow my business. Now, I dedicate time to creating projects, business admin, planning, and marketing each day. It is a learning curve that’s for sure. Artists like me often work alone and it has been important for me to recognize that it’s OK to accept help as it’s hard for one person to do everything.

I have a voluntary, support person who guides and helps me with various aspects of the business side. It is challenging to get my voice heard and my art seen. As a Creative Director for my own business, consistency, persistence, and patience are vital to success. Being a full-time artist is a commitment.

Are there any specific future products or projects you have in mind for your business that you’re excited about? 

Yes, there are many! I have recently started painting furniture and turning it into designer art pieces, along with glass bottles for interior designer décor, as well as designing my own clothing merch which will be released later this year. 

I love to expand my creativity and get out of my comfort zone by using other materials. One of my big dreams is to raise enough funds to set up my own studio/gallery, to be able to offer open studio days for art lovers to meet me and appreciate my artworks.

As you just mentioned, your art doesn’t stop at the canvas. You have ventured into creating merch, for example. How would you compare this process to your art practice?

The only difference between creating my merch and my art process is the digital element. Designing my merch involves graphic design work. I still create with spontaneity and my emotions so there is always my own authenticity brought to the design. 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are looking to develop their own unique style? And how can they present this online to reach a wider audience?

Don’t compare your work to other artists. Trust your own process towards developing your own style. It takes time, often years. Paint daily or as often as you are able. It’s important to be able to experience life, to put yourself out of your comfort zone to explore yourself. Knowing who you truly are and why you make art will help develop your unique style. Life’s too short to not be unapologetically, authentically you. So, give them something to stare at. 

I find that using professional tools like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, and ArtPlacer to present my art in situ, allows people to visualize it within a space. I tend to use all three tools together to present the best possible images of my art. While you don’t need a website of your own, having one helps you to present your art in your own unique way plus engage directly with art collectors and art lovers so that you can build ongoing relationships. But there’s more to it than just putting up a website.

Instagram has been the best social media platform for my art so far. It’s important to figure out your mission and goals as an Artist so that you can have a clear focus for your social media page. Winging it doesn’t always work. 

Try to expand yourself across different platforms to find which ones work best for you. Not every social media platform will have the right demographic for your art. The more you are across social media, the more your art will be seen. It’s also equally important to get creative and market yourself offline as well. 

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

All paintings were created by Bridget Bradley with premium acrylics, canvases, and archival art papers. To learn more about her available artworks and commissions you can visit bridgetbradleyart.com.