Jacqueline Brown and the Art of Living Brightly

Meet Jacqueline Brown or as her friends call her Jake. After years in print design, she’s now putting her heart into creating bright acrylic pieces and beautiful landscapes that feel like a breath of fresh air. Her creativity runs deep. Her dad was an award-winning architect and her mom was a Principal Dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Jake has been making art since she was a kid and even won two big art awards back in school. These days she finds inspiration in the mountain life at Blue. Her home gallery is just steps from the slopes and it’s where all the magic happens. You can find her work at Prime Seven Nine, book a personal gallery visit or pop online at acrylicsbyjake.ca

It’s worth a look.

Now let's dive into our Q & A!

Q What does your creative process look like from idea to finished piece?

I start with a thought. I stand infront of a fresh white canvas and I go… each session takes me to a different place, could be 1 or 5 hours. When I am not feeling it I stop. The next day fresh eyes give me motivation. I never know when I begin of where I am going. I just know when I am done. It’s a feeling.

Q Why acrylics? What draws you to them over other mediums?

I like acrylics because they are easier to use, while I use thickening agents to create slab style painting. I LOVE TEXTURE. Acrylic paints are harder to use because when they are wet they are a different colour than when they dry. It’s a great challenge to get it right.

I layer many slab shapes to achieve my overall goal and finished peice.

Q Where do you turn when you feel creatively stuck or uninspired?

Nature, Music, fabrics, photographs, pinterest and especially my head…

Q What’s one childhood memory that made you realize you were an artist at heart?

My dad would always take me early Saturday mornings with him to his office.  I would go hide in the darker part of the cubicle's and use all the markers and drafting supplies at the desks. I was alone, it was quiet and I always spent lots of time just colouring, drawing and making shapes.

Q How have your parents’ creative careers shaped your own artistic journey?

I am an instinct artist. I paint by feeling and visual. This definitely came from very creative parents.

Q Do you listen to music while you paint? If so, what’s on your playlist?

Depending on my mood it can be Classical, Opera and then switch to a little Dave Mathew’s or Aerosmith. Morning is a softer soul approach as the day changes it becomes loud with lots of beats. Also it depends on the time of year and what is happening outside.

Example of my music: pavorotti, dojo cat, rod stewart, Dianna crawl, Cleo  Sol, Taylor swift… all depends on mood and colours I am using..

Q What’s something in your home that brings you joy every day?

My kitchen, as I love to cook, my paintings all around me as I fuels my energy and being near the mountain to hike, golf/snowboard and ski.

Q Where’s the most unexpected place you’ve seen one of your pieces end up?

I donated one of my paintings to the Hospice “Campbell House”. I love to share my work with people. If I can bring them joy, then I have done my job.

Q How do you wind down after a big creative session?

Red wine, hot tub, hanging out with a dog from the Humane Society and going for a walk with my husband.

Q Three words your friends would use to describe you?

Multitasker, Foodie, Creative

Check out her work on her website here

Or Instagram here