Featured Artist: Brandy Rumiez

Originally from the mid-west, South Florida artist Brandy Rumiez showcases her colorful doodlings at our next event ArtHeart For Rwanda. Brandy specializes in giving life to fantastical creatures or twisting pop culture characters (see her Wes Anderson-themed artwork on her website). Check out her bio/interview below.

(Follow Brandy on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.)

Tell us about your art.

I’ve always loved stories, and I feel that this is my way of telling them. When people talk to me about my work it’s almost as if they’re acknowledging the three-dimensional existence of the creatures and the world I paint. It makes them more real to me knowing I’m not the only one who sees them. With playful colors and odd creatures, my work is usually described as cute and a bit creepy. I think that maybe to some degree I use ‘cute’ to mask unpleasant things, but it is never a conscious effort.

Describe ArtHeart in your own words.

Sharing art is sharing love. Artheart is at the center of that by showing support for the local arts and giving back to those in need.

When I’m not creating art, I am….

Making music, playing video games, adventuring, or napping somewhere.

Who or what led you to becoming an artist?

When I was a child I would sit at the table recreating Gary Larson – Farside comics. I loved his weird sense of humor and the ability to tell an entire story with one image. After all this time I can still look at his work and laugh the way I did when I first experienced it. I’m always trying and hoping to achieve the same sort of positive emotional response from people with my work. I think Larson was one of my biggest influences in that way.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?

Coffee.

Album you can listen to over and over.

Cibo Matto – Stereotype A

Favorite place to show art.

The Bear and Bird Gallery. I’m always happy to exhibit in one of their shows. The owners are great people and the shows are a lot of fun.

How many Art Heart events have you participated in?

[ArtHeart For Rwanda] is my first! Hopefully there will be many more opportunities ahead.

Catch Brandy’s art at the 11/16 event. Find more info about the show by clicking here.