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Alicia Brown (born 1981, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a contemporary realist oil painter lining and working in Florida. She received a BFA in Painting, and diploma in Art Education from Edna Manley College of the Visual Performing Arts, and a MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art, New York. Brown’s practice examine the concept of mimicry found in nature and applies it to the human world, elaborating on the historical tensions of colonization, appropriation, class and self-agency. Referencing the history of portraiture her work incorporates both traditional and contemporary paint languages addressing the notions of adaptation, visibility, and hybridity as they relate to formation of identity. Brown is a 2019 recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, She has participated in numerous group shows locally and internationally. Her work has been featured in Beautiful Bizarre magazine, American Art Collector, Painting the figure now 2019 magazine, Caribbean Quarterly Journal and other publications. Her work is in notable collections such as the Bennett Collection of women realists and other private collections.
Published on March 17th 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
I have had a few obstacles this year mostly in my personal life that really knocked the wind out of me for an extended period. I went through a phase of depression that drained me emotionally and physically. I had a brief time where it was very difficult to think creative or to make work. However the emotional roller coaster also propelled me to use my art as a therapy and this has helped and is still helping me to cope and move beyond the obstacles. I must add that My work has taken on a new world as a result of the stresses that I have been battling, which in itself is a blessing and a sign of a rainbow at the end of the storm!
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
The Covid-19 Pandemic has crawled into all our lives and has impacted the world immensely. Finding inspiration and motivation to create work is difficult because I am not as engaged socially which is necessary for my making art. With that said as a creator I have had to find different avenues to be able to maintain my practice, it is challenging but I am adapting to the current changes. Overall the pandemic has not prevented me from making work which I am so thankful for as I am aware that this is not the case for other artists. However, due to the pandemic's impact on the economy including the art market and diminishing art sales. I have been making adjustments to the size of the works I am making with the hope of attracting collectors who don't have the space or cannot afford to purchase large pieces. Even though I am busy in studio making work, the pandemic has significantly affected the sales of paintings which makes me feel hopeless at times as my art is the only means I have now to put food on the table.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
As you mentioned unforeseeable, I don't really have any special systems or plans in place. I am thankful that I have my family who have and continue to be supportive whenever possible. I am very hopeful and a strong believer in working hard and the rewards will come at the end. I try my best to maintain a good work habit, I am a mother to a toddler and everything including my practice is scheduled around the time I spend taking care of him. Any available time outside of that is used for studio work, sometimes I get a lot done and there are days when I do not.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
My journey to becoming an artist and to maintain my art practice has seen and overcome many hurdles. The methods I have employed on my journey includes the practice of telling myself daily that this is the path that I have decided to take and that I am not going to get there without dedication and work! Also I believe to get better at something you need to surround yourself with the right people and work as hard as they do, so I pay attention to other artists who I emulate and take note of their approach to the way they work.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
This year has been a time where I have experienced a growth of myself both in my personal life as well as in my art career. I am now a mother and this role has made me more aware of myself and my purpose in the world. As a mother who is an artist I am experiencing some of the challenges that other women artists with children face not only with making work but being given the kind of respect and honor they deserve in the art world. This year in particular I have had to make a lot of sacrifices and life changes in order to be able to maintain my art practice. What I have learned about myself is that I am a fighter, I am more stronger that I ever imagine and I posses within me all the necessary tools to be a better me and a great woman, mother and artist who can be an inspiration to others.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
I have had a few obstacles this year mostly in my personal life that really knocked the wind out of me for an extended period. I went through a phase of depression that drained me emotionally and physically. I had a brief time where it was very difficult to think creative or to make work. However the emotional roller coaster also propelled me to use my art as a therapy and this has helped and is still helping me to cope and move beyond the obstacles. I must add that My work has taken on a new world as a result of the stresses that I have been battling, which in itself is a blessing and a sign of a rainbow at the end of the storm!
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
The Covid-19 Pandemic has crawled into all our lives and has impacted the world immensely. Finding inspiration and motivation to create work is difficult because I am not as engaged socially which is necessary for my making art. With that said as a creator I have had to find different avenues to be able to maintain my practice, it is challenging but I am adapting to the current changes. Overall the pandemic has not prevented me from making work which I am so thankful for as I am aware that this is not the case for other artists. However, due to the pandemic's impact on the economy including the art market and diminishing art sales. I have been making adjustments to the size of the works I am making with the hope of attracting collectors who don't have the space or cannot afford to purchase large pieces. Even though I am busy in studio making work, the pandemic has significantly affected the sales of paintings which makes me feel hopeless at times as my art is the only means I have now to put food on the table.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
As you mentioned unforeseeable, I don't really have any special systems or plans in place. I am thankful that I have my family who have and continue to be supportive whenever possible. I am very hopeful and a strong believer in working hard and the rewards will come at the end. I try my best to maintain a good work habit, I am a mother to a toddler and everything including my practice is scheduled around the time I spend taking care of him. Any available time outside of that is used for studio work, sometimes I get a lot done and there are days when I do not.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
My journey to becoming an artist and to maintain my art practice has seen and overcome many hurdles. The methods I have employed on my journey includes the practice of telling myself daily that this is the path that I have decided to take and that I am not going to get there without dedication and work! Also I believe to get better at something you need to surround yourself with the right people and work as hard as they do, so I pay attention to other artists who I emulate and take note of their approach to the way they work.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
This year has been a time where I have experienced a growth of myself both in my personal life as well as in my art career. I am now a mother and this role has made me more aware of myself and my purpose in the world. As a mother who is an artist I am experiencing some of the challenges that other women artists with children face not only with making work but being given the kind of respect and honor they deserve in the art world. This year in particular I have had to make a lot of sacrifices and life changes in order to be able to maintain my art practice. What I have learned about myself is that I am a fighter, I am more stronger that I ever imagine and I posses within me all the necessary tools to be a better me and a great woman, mother and artist who can be an inspiration to others.
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