Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenna Brom.
Brenna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started painting back in 2014 I want to say. I had recently moved in with my boyfriend (now husband) Kevin and was working with kids in a mental healthcare setting and as a group fitness instructor at the local YMCA in Winona MN. I went to college at Winona State University for psychology and therapeutic recreation. I never actually graduated, and still haven’t. I started to dabble with acrylic painting as a coping skill and side hobby. People ask me to do paintings for them and my mother coined my paintings as “Whimsical”. Thus the name, It’s a Whimsical Life. I also was making jewelry, primarily wire-wrapped stone jewelry. In Winona, I sold my jewelry at one of the local coffee shops and did some local art shows in SE, MN, and in the twin cities where I sold my original paintings and jewelry.
My husband and I got married and moved to Rochester, MN in 2018 after he got a job at Mayo Clinic. I was still working part-time in a mental health setting and did my art on the side. I was continuing to learn more and more about the art world and was doing more and more markets. Moving and working in a mental health setting took a toll on my mental health and I quit my job and decided to take a stab at only working as an artist. Financially it wasn’t quite feasible so I looked for other part-time jobs. I ended up finding a job at a local business that taught art classes. “Canvas and Chardonnay”. Now called, “Art Heads Emporium. I also found a job as a group fitness instructor at the Rochester Athletic Club and I got a job as a bartender at a local brewery. I was still doing my art but not as much as I would have liked. I finally made some of my paintings into fine art prints and that helped me bring in more money at markets.
When Covid hit, I lost my job teaching art classes, at the athletic club, and at the brewery. I still had my art but markets and shops were canceled/closed. Attempted to shift my mindset and dive into my art but the motivation and finances weren’t really there. I got pregnant a couple of months after Covid hit. I was very sick throughout my entire pregnancy. I worked on art when I could, taught the occasional virtual class, and took on a couple of commissioned paintings. Being stuck at home sick and pregnant allowed me to try out some other forms of art. I got really into embroidery and pom-pom earring making. Our son, Oliver, was born on November 8th, 2020. I became a stay-at-home mom. I worked on my art and painting when I could. About 3 months after our son was born, I tore the labrum in my hip and stress fractured my femur. I couldn’t take care of my son but luckily, I had lots of help from family and friends. I was on crutches for 3.5 months. On the bright side, this immobility allowed me to do lots of painting and embroidery. On a much darker side, postpartum depression/anxiety consumed me and I started drinking alcohol a lot more. When my leg had “healed” I was very unhealthy mentally and physically. I made a decision to not return to the brewery and to take a break from alcohol. The first couple of months of not drinking were good. I was getting back into creating, local markets and spending quality time at home with my son as a stay-at-home mom. In November 2021 I developed an excruciating headache. This headache lasted for three-plus months straight. I was in and out of the hospital, seeing different specialists, and trying multiple different treatments. I was unable to create any art. I entered into a pain rehab program at Mayo Clinic and finally found treatments that lessened the headache.
Early in 2022, after my headache had subsided, I joined Threshold Arts. Threshold Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering local artists. I had decided moving forward that I was going to focus primarily on my bright and colorful acrylic paintings/prints and my funky and bold pom-pom earrings. I ended up asking the organization if they needed help or were looking to hire. They were! Threshold Arts opened up lots of opportunities for me. I have met so many amazing local artists. I have sold many original pieces of art. I am exhibiting some of my larger works at a local coffee shop (Cafe Steam). I have participated in many local markets in Rochester MN and plan to expand to bigger art festivals in 2023. I recently launched my webpage, www.whimsicallifeart.com. I have larger paintings in the works. I have big goals, including bigger art. Murals.
Anyways. I have been through ALOT in my life. especially in the last 2-3 years. Art has always been there. Art has kept me grounded and helped to express trauma, joy, growth, etc. While a lot of these situations really sucked, I don’t think I would be where I am at today if it wasn’t for these life experiences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. When I look back on my art journey, I see it as a gravel road. Finances have always been a struggle.
Being an artist isn’t the most stable “career”, but it is what makes me happy and content. I have my husband, friends, and family who have supported me from the very beginning. After 8-ish years of creating and growing my art business, I am finally at a point where I can rely on art to provide for me a source of income.
I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and OCD as a young child. I’ve been in therapy and on medications most of my life. I’ve experienced some major and minor life traumas in life that trigger and affect me today. My anxiety and depression are a constant battle. I’ve seen the bottom of alcohol addiction and crawled my way out. I wouldn’t say my mental health has been a barrier to creating, but a guiding tool. Definitely a coping skill. Art has been there and helped me through the darkest days. When I paint, it’s messy, colorful, and chaotic. I don’t really know where I’m going. Same in life. In the end, though, I’m able to bring it all together by adding precise details. This adds a sense of “I’m done”, “I’m okay”, and “I’m in charge. Life is chaotic and I like to organize that chaos and make something whimsical. Magical.
My physical health has also been a constant struggle. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in my late 20s. Dealt with lower back issues for most of the latter half of my life. I was sick my entire pregnancy. Broke my femur and tore my hip labrums. Developed a chronic migraine that lasted 3+ months. Suffered the negative physical health effects of alcohol addiction. and more. Despite all of these things, I keep creating. A lot of days, creating is painful. Moving is painful. There is beauty in pain and I’m proud that I am still creating and growing in my art.
Despite it all.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, my main focus is my acrylic and gouache paintings with fine black line detailing. Most of my art portrays nature-like scenes. Flowers, mushrooms, moons, suns, animals, water, earth, etc. I don’t always know where my paintings will end up. I always start with the color. All the colors. When the colors are done I finish up the paintings with black detailing. This detailing is either done with a very fine script brush or ink pen. Creating the detail at the end is my favorite part. It really does bring the entire piece together. Most of my Acrylic paintings are the larger size and oftentimes take months and hours upon hours to finish. I usually have a couple of paintings that I work on at one time. I get bored easily. I get all of my larger acrylic paintings professionally photographed and then made into fine art prints. I scan all of my gouache and ink drawings. Those also get made into prints.
When I get sick of painting or need a change, I like to create pom-pom earrings. I only use yarn that I find at vintage and second-hand shops. I am very picky and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to these pom poms. They are dense, colorful, and perfectly round.
Other fun creative works I’ve done includes; Designing a beverage glass for Little Thistle Brewery. Designing and painting a mural for a local restaurant. Painting a mural for my son’s nursery.
I believe what sets me apart from other artists is my bright colors and immense attention to detail. My pieces are truly whimsical and magical. I hope they bring others to a happy space. Also, not many people see pompom earrings every day haha.
I currently sell my art on my website, at art festivals and markets, at Threshold Arts, and at the Rochester Art Center.
Goals for 2023 include applying for artist grants, and mural proposals, attending larger art festivals and markets, and growing my online sales via my website. I also take commissions.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I lost 3 jobs in one day when covid hit. I got pregnant and had a beautiful baby boy during the pandemic. I lost myself, hit rock bottom, and still am climbing out of the depths. I don’t know if it was due to the pandemic specifically but my mindset has changed in the past 3 years.
I am focusing on healthy. Doing things I probably wouldn’t have done if it weren’t for the pandemic. I learned there are jobs that aren’t right for me. I am focusing on my art and my business. The pandemic sucked and still does but it forced me to confront parts of myself I never would of before so I guess I’m kind of thankful for it.
Pricing:
- I take commissions.
- Prints range in price from $15-$100
- Original paintings are priced based on hours spent and materials used.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.whimsicallifeart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsawhimsicallife_bybrenna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsawhimsicallifebybrenna
