(The Saddest Lullaby, click on image for larger version)

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”

~Alice, from Alice in Wonderland

While I certainly wouldn’t characterize the work of artist Brandi Milne (pronounced ‘mill-nee’) as ‘nonsense’, it is safe to say that her unique visual expressions have a degree of ‘nothing [being] what it is’ and ‘everything [being] what it isn’t’. In other words, rich symbolism is combined with visually delightful imagery that is more than what it first appears to be.

Brandi Milne has graciously allowed me the opportunity to feature her work here today and for that I am very grateful, for her work is exactly the kind of art that makes my heart skip a beat and it compels me to share it with as many people as I can.

(The Unbirthday)

Brandi Milne is featured in a 6-page spread in the latest issue of Hi Fructose Magazine (find it at all the coolest bookstores!). In that feature we are allowed a brief glimpse at the woman behind this gorgeous art as well as some full-page samplings of her work. The one thing the article does, besides generate a great deal of excitement, is leave you wanting more. That is why I am thankful that there are a number of sites that feature Brandi and her work (I will list these for you at the end of this post), including her very own website.

(Can You Hear Me?)

Where does one start in describing this work? Nothing could be more powerful than simply stopping and taking in the rich colors and whimsical, nostalgic imagery of these pieces. And please do that. Brandi Milne’s work is stunning in its use of vibrant and, as Hi Fructose puts it, ‘soothing’ colors.

(My Pain)

These pieces of Brandi Milne’s collection evoke a sense of childhood nostalgia. This is perhaps not surprising given the inspiration for these creations. In March of 2008, Brandi’s mother passed away. In an interview with Sour Harvest, Milne states, “My work is emotionally narrative (not by choice), and because I’m struggling through this huge loss, it’s reflected in my new works.” In dealing with the loss of one’s mother, it only seems natural that the mind and heart would return back to childhood memories, when a mother’s love and comfort is especially important.

(And The Choir Sings Quiet)

What Brandi Milne has created, out of her pain, is a number of works of art that have a sense of melancholy but are also quirky and fun and quite engaging.

(Master Magician)

Some of the artists I really like and have featured here before–Audrey Kawasaki, Ryan Heshka, Silvia Ji–paint on pieces of wood. It is one of the things that attracts me to Brandi Milne’s work. The wood grain, as it shows through in varying degrees, adds an interesting texture to these pieces that also, for me, adds a sense of time, a sense of history. Whether the wood is old and is being recycled as art (which makes the mind wander to the previous function of that wood) or whether it is relatively new (making one think of the tree from whence it came), wood makes a fascinating canvas, if that makes any sense.

(Doctor Good)

Brandi Milne takes unconventional canvas to a new place by painting on old books as well. Given the influence that literature like Alice in Wonderland has in her life, I love that she has chosen to do this. Of course, if you are anything like me, you are dying to know what each of these books are, aren’t you?!?

(Alphabet Babies)

Speaking of Alice, Milne mentions in a video interview the bond she has with the books and films. The imagery of Alice in Wonderland finds its way into many of her creations, from hearts to playing cards to top hats to white rabbits. I am particularly drawn to this because I have such a fondness for the narrative structure of the stories as well as all the imagery/symbolism contained therein. It is not surprising that some of my favorite works of art and literature (and games: American McGee’s Alice) pay homage in small or very obvious ways to Lewis Carroll’s creation.

(Lucky You, click on image for larger version)

I enjoy it when an artist has recurring themes/imagery in their work. The various objects that appear and reappear in Brandi Milne’s works are simply too much fun, from the aforementioned nods to Alice in Wonderland to her melting cold confections to the musical notes and Asian script. They create a sense of connection between these works that makes viewing the whole of them a richly rewarding experience.

(Ice Cream Smile, click on image for larger version)

Though her website does not reveal her age, it does mention, “Throughout her upbringing, Brandi was exposed to the sounds and sights of the 1970’s, through the still pumping family 8-track as well as her mother’s wardrobe of flowing paisley”. For those of us who were children in the 70’s, there is something especially nostalgic about some of Brandi Milne’s creations. The large-eyed desserts and other characters remind me of drive-in-movie snack bar advertisements and of going to restaurants with giant statues of wholesome looking young men lofting plates of heart-attack-inducing food into the air. Advertising seemed so much more innocent back then and I look on these paintings with a great fondness for my own childhood.

There is also a strong Asian influence in her work which can especially be seen in images like the Alice in Wonderland painting near the beginning of this post. That nostalgic Americana blended with an Asian presence has lead to some truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

(Mermaid 3)

Another thing that one cannot help but love about Brandi Milne’s work is the sense of story these pieces convey. There certainly is a sense of the ‘Once Upon a Time…’ about her art, especially the paintings which feature her girls. With their minimal facial features and long, graceful lines, they call to mind fairy tales and folklore and perhaps some mythology as well. To go along with that, there is some of the underlying darkness that accompanies fairy tales which adds to the attraction of her work. The skulls and the sadness and the downright creepiness (and I mean that in a good way) of some of the beings that she paints fit into the category of what I would call “deliciously creepy”.

(This is Doom City)

Looking at the various paintings featured here I cannot help but want to pull out my books and movies that would fall under the definition of fantastical. Seeing “In the Garden of Plenty”, pictured below, actually had me contemplating pulling out Babe, Pig in the City tonight! Odd, I know, but I was craving that kind of creative whimsy because of the fires of imagination that Brandi Milne’s work sparked.

(In the Garden of Plenty)

My only regret in discovering Brandi Milne’s work is not being able to see it in person. If you click on any of the images I have posted that indicate there is a reason to do so, you can at least get a small taste of the texture of her work, a texture that no doubt is amazing to view in person.

(I Can’t See You)

It was lovely of Brandi Milne to allow me to showcase her work. It has been awhile since I have been this excited about an artist’s work and not a day has gone by since reading Hi Fructose last weekend that I haven’t popped over to her site to take another peek.

As those of you who have visited my site for awhile know, I am an admitted voyeur when it comes to wanting to see the spaces that people live, and most especially work, in. Below you can see one image of Brandi Milne’s studio area. You can see more images of her studio space at this Flickr site, from whence came many of the images included in this post. Make sure you click on the image to enlarge it so that you can better see all the fun stuff her area holds.

In addition to these paintings that have so captured my attention, Brandi Milne has sewn plush creations (which can be seen here after a few wonderful pages of Alice-inspired paintings) and she has published a children’s book, So Good for Little Bunnies. And, I understand, she is hard at work on a second book.

The description from the publisher featured on Amazon dot com has me itching to read this book:

“Be Be and her little bunny doll Ginger Finley embark on a summertime journey to Yummy Town Carnivale. Along the way, they are joined by a big oaf named Hoxie Clark, a one-eyed lemonade vendor named Captain Solo and a nameless surly beast. This nothing-but-fun adventure is narrated with childlike abandon. The untamed prose is filled with unusual descriptions and unexpected detours that will have adults scratching their heads but will leave kids smiling with glee. Packed with beautiful art and whimsical heart, this book is sure to be so good for all the little bunnies on your shopping list.”

How can you not be excited about “a one-eyed lemonade vendor named Captain Solo.”?!?! 🙂

To further share my excitement over Brandi Milne’s work, I am going to give you an opportunity to read from your very own autographed copy of So Good for Little Bunnies. I will be giving away two copies via random drawing on Tuesday, April 28th. To qualify you simply need to share whatever is on your mind after viewing this wonderful art. By participating in the conversation before 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Monday, April 27th, you will be qualified for the drawing. In addition I will be including a copy of the High Fructose magazine featuring Brandi Milne in each of the winning book packages. And, if you don’t win, I will encourage you to head on over to the ‘Shop’ portion of Brandi Milne’s site to buy one directly from her!

I hope you have enjoyed this visual feast as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you. But don’t stop here. You can find more articles about Brandi Milne and examples of her work:

at her website: Brandi Milne (dot) com
by following her blog: Be Quiet, She’s Thinking

and at the following locations:

Daily DuJour (from which the images that are pictures of Brandi’s actual paintings were borrowed)
Arrested Motion
Sour Harvest
Juxtapoz (Their 20 Questions with Brandi Milne is really fun)
Thinkspace

You should also take a moment to watch this video, shot at her recent opening at Thinkspace. You may need a motion sickness pill for the first part of it, but half way through you get a brief interview with Brandi Milne that is certainly worth watching.

Allow me to once again thank you, Brandi Milne, for permission to feature you and your work on my site. It is amazing stuff. Truly and wonderfully and deeply amazing. Thank you for what you do. I look forward to following you through your blog and seeing what adventures your work takes you on in the future. If I could give one gift to you, I would again take my words from Alice in Wonderland, and it would be:

“I relieve and release your hurt that you may be set free.”