Artist based in Richmond, VA
Grace Bromley, Portrait of the Artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. My Grandparents met dancing at the Aragon Ballroom, My Mom's Dad was one of the first organizers of the Building Inspection Union and My Dad had a Neon Sign shop in Lakeview. I have deep roots in that city, lots of Chicago pride. I grew up living with extended family, surrounded by people most of the time. Drawing was something I always did, but I went to school for Biology originally in upstate New York. After my first semester I came back to Chicago and transferred to SAIC. I firmly decided that I was going to be an artist on day one of classes. And after several years post graduation, floating around New York City, I've found myself back in school for painting.
Mirrors & Smoke, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 64"x70"
"I'm currently working on my thesis project which is the largest free-standing painting installation I've ever made. The inspiration is a labyrinth of sorts that's "sharp" on the inside but soft and comforting on the outside. My contradictory feelings towards painting, femininity and romantic love always have me thinking about entrapment."
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
I'm currently working on my thesis project which is the largest free-standing painting installation I've ever made. Its made up of 11, 8ft panels. The inspiration is a labyrinth of sorts that's "sharp" on the inside but soft and comforting on the outside. My contradictory feelings towards painting, femininity and romantic love always have me thinking about entrapment.
Cavity, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 110"x72"
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
Just interacting with life. I have questions about people's behaviors and motivations, I'm really inspired by patterns and contradictions I observe. I look at artificial light on skin at restaurants and bars and try to image how I'd paint it. I go swimming all the time and look at how light interacts with space moving through water, I brainstorm better underwater too.
Sometimes I'm not inspired by anything at all though and I wonder if I'll ever make something I like ever again. So naturally I question my worth as a human. Would not suggest taking yourself this seriously.
(In the back of my mind there's always biblical stories, various myths and science fiction.)
Studio Views
Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
I think grad school changed my relationship to having an "idea" cause now I have too many. But I actually prefer feeling totally lobotomized in the studio. (Feeling > thinking).
Slow and steady seems to be the best way, but I often think, "I hope this is the time I make a quick painting” and maybe one day I'll be that kind of painter.
I like to do alot of thin layers of color, and find the certain earth tone or grey that harmonizes or clashes with something bright. Then reduction, wiping away, and carving out to find a form and a light source.
In terms of the more sculptural work, it's usually something I've decided can make a more succinct point than I'm able to with the paintings. I hope they ground the loftiness of the more atmospheric paintings allowing them to be intangible. "Quicksilver" for example, the beeswax ear pierced with hair, tied together a few symbols I was dealing with in that series of paintings about "Sirens", blocking one's own senses to temptation, vanity, self consuming impulses.
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
I make lots of drawings and sculptures, and do some material and object collecting. Although, the ideas do show up in the paintings at some point. Right now I am accumulating things that go on a very heavy, 7 ft keychain, there are some locks and keys showing up in the paintings currently too.
I really don't like the way consistency of style and body of work is so fetishized right now, so I hope I never "arrive".
Installation view
Many artists live by their routines, do you have your own studio or work ritual? What does that look like for you?
I try to adhere to a general routine and respect my natural rhythm so I don't burn out. Everyday might need a different approach. Somedays I’m a late night person and other days early morning. It's important for me to let myself have days in the studio when I’m not actually making at all, just reorganizing, cleaning or staring. That way, if the only thing I hold myself to is showing up, it takes so much pressure off. But, a sustainable routine can ultimately get so boring and I will always give in to the magic of a risky pivot at the eleventh hour.
Lately I've been starting out listening to Radiohead - In Rainbows and its become a superstitious ritual for a good studio day. Then I listen to my "blend" playlists on Spotify that I made with each of my friends and a tinder date I never went on. But the best painting happens when the music stops and you haven’t noticed for hours.
The Dwellers, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 64"x70
Who are your biggest influences?
Fiona Apple, Bell Hooks, Harriet Wheeler, Everyone in my life who I keep close, Julia Kristeva, Joan of Arc, Mari Ruti, Shiela Heti, Maya Deren, Clarice Lispector, Sinead O'Connor, Katniss Everdeen, Janine Antoni, Ana Mendieta, Dorothea Tanning.
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Mother!, Post Tenebrus Lux, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (1999), The Invisible Painting a Memoir of Leonora Carrington by her son, The Fifth Element, Alva Noe's Strange Tools.
Installation view
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Nothing changes if nothing changes
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
If something feels like an outlier, the work that follows will put it in context (just make more).
Lead with a hunger to get to know yourself, don't make work for other people. Do what you want to do and it’ll probably change their mind.
Siren's Wake, 2023, Oil on Canvas, 110"x72"
Stay up to date with Grace Bromley
Instagram @grace__bromley