Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenna Kalicki.
Brenna, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up always having my hands in something creative, whether it was painting, drawing or sewing. So, it didn’t surprise my family when I told them I wanted to go to college for art when I was only 13. In high school I would fill my schedule with art classes and after school art clubs and take photos of my friends as we’d go for hikes or hang out. When I graduated high school, I went to Emmanuel College and pursued a degree in Digital Design + Photography.
That school really challenged me in my art, I was taught to think big picture and more deeply about the art I was creating and the professors there really helped me to discover myself within my art. I also come from a pretty creative family. Both of my grandfathers were pretty crafty and very talented. My mom’s father was a very talented tailor but my favorite memories involve him sitting at the dining table and sketching little drawings on the blank corners of newspapers or envelopes around him. We have a similar stroke + style of drawing and it was always interesting to see his doodles of trees or people and relate them to my own little sketches. My dad’s father used to craft wooden pieces + nails to create floral arrangements, boats or dollhouses with the most elegant of details, using only what he had handy. If I had to pin point who or where I got my creative interests it would have to be from them.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I do a little bit of everything but primarily I take photographs and make collages. The collages take more time and focus but I use little pieces of magazines that I cut up and glue them to paper to form a portrait or image, this can take me a week to a month depending on the size and image I’m trying to create. I try to keep these collages bright and colorful -especially the backgrounds so that when someone is looking at them they can feel the energy behind the portrait. For my photography, I really try to capture a moment in time – something that captures my eye, but I also want to send a message of strong structures – whether it be portraits of women or of architecture. When I take a picture – I’m not necessarily thinking of what the message will be later – I’m letting the model dictate where we’re going with the image, how they pose – what emotion they’re showing. I hope that when someone looks at my portrait work they feel like they can relate or it reminds them of a strong person in their life.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think the biggest challenge artist face today is fear. There are so many people I talk to who tell me “oh I could never do that” but the truth is, you can. You just have to push yourself out of your comfort zone occasionally. What helped me a lot was going to photography meet ups in the city and meeting a lot of other local artists who inspired me and taught me a lot!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I update both my website and Instagram pretty often and usually respond to emails or direct messages!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brennakalicki.com
- Email: brenna.kalicki@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/brennakalicki
Image Credit:
Models, Aline Chaprazian, Suzy Elkourati
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