Meet Brittney Rice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Rice.

Brittney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As far back as I can remember I have always been creative in some shape or form. As a child, I was often found making some kind of art or having front porch concerts with my friends. My family often jokes that one of my favorite toys was a kid’s art easel. My dream job as a child was to be a “Rock Star” however I tend to be anxiously shy in nature, and I’m not the best singer – so that wasn’t going to happen.

It wasn’t until high school that I even thought about visual art as a career. I was in that phase of applying to colleges, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I was leaning toward going into the pharmacy industry, or some field in which I could make money. But nothing interested me much. In my senior year, I started doubling up on art classes and learning from an amazing art teacher Mrs. Wilhoit at PRP high school in Louisville, Ky. She entered one of my pieces in the Kentucky Derby Festival Student Art Contest – I won 3rd place. That was the first time that I even thought about art as a career.

My high school was taking students on field trips to different colleges in the area and we traveled to the Kentucky College of Art and Design at Spalding University. (KyCAD is now an independent Art institution separated from Spalding University) I was truly amazed looking through classrooms at all the student’s work, and how unique and thought-provoking it was. So I applied, and out of all the universities I applied to KyCAD & Spalding University offered me a full ride. How could I not pass that up, right? It felt like it was meant to be.

I still had my doubts when attending art school. There are always those naysayers that look down upon “art students”. When I would get asked what I was attaining my degree in, many people would kindly but doubt ably state “oh, well, good for you sweetie.” Their kind words were more often an insult and teardown, rather than encouragement. “Art school is a waste of time… Artists don’t make any money…I guess you are going to teach art?” The stigmas of being in art school often made me question it – but I thankfully had a full ride so I stayed motivated and honed my skills.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a bachelor of fine art in Painting & Drawing and a 4.0 GPA. I questioned what to do next, and kept working my Full-time job at Marshall’s retail store while making art on the side. One of my professors, Skylar Smith, from KyCAD, encouraged me to apply as an emerging artist at the St. James court art show, in Louisville, KY. Which I was accepted. I was honored to meet so many amazing creatives from around the country, and I learned the behind-the-scenes of art festivals – it was truly an amazing experience!

About two years ago, I decided to finally make the leap and pursue my passion full-time – I quit my day job. Nowadays, I work in my home studio as much as possible, creating oil paintings. Even though it is hard, and my income is sporadic at times, I love what I do. I spend my time trying to say “yes” to every art opportunity that arises. I take on commission work, create murals for businesses, sell my artwork at art festivals, and try to get into as many gallery exhibitions as possible. I have exhibited my work throughout Kentucky, including at Sotheby’s Realty, the Capitol Rotunda, and the 849 Gallery. I have also taken on various commissions from businesses such as I Deal Autos, Total Wine & More St. Mathews, Operation Art-Strings (Guitars for Vets), and the 76th Judicial Conference of the Sixth District.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Overcoming the stigma of being a full-time artist wasn’t the only obstacle I’ve had to overcome. I would say the biggest struggle for me is anxiety. It creeps into everything I do on a daily basis, and like with many people the pandemic has only worsened my mental health.

Although I tend to believe that my anxiety is mild compared to most people, it is still there. I have been anxious on and off since childhood. I worry about the littlest things all the time. I also have social anxiety so instead of putting myself out there and talking to people about my artwork, I have a tendency to just shut down and forget what I want to say. Then think about it later and regret not having said more. But anxiety isn’t all bad, there is good anxiety too.

Anxiety can be very beneficial to productivity, I find that it drives my motivation to create more art while creating art eases my anxiety. So it is full circle for me.

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?
In terms of my work, I specialize in Oil painting. I’ll be honest I don’t like to stay in one lane, I love painting a variety of different subject matter. Everything from Kentucky-focused art (landscapes, horses, bourbon bottle still lifes, etc.), to semi-abstract surrealist landscapes, to completely abstract art.

I like to push the limits of traditional oil painting. My work exhibits my experiences in nature and the artistic interpretations that enter my mind like a vision. I am most known for my unique red “ribbon” wrapping style, used in some of my landscape paintings. What people call red “ribbons” is hard to describe – you really have to see it to understand it. Essentially it is a bold red curving line-form, that travels throughout my paintings, and metaphorically represents my spirit traveling through the painting.

Through my work, I wish to bring my memories and experiences to life by painting an ever-changing world – intensifying, exaggerating, and intimately abstracting forms found in nature. Just as nature evolves, so do my paintings. The simple touch of a brush on a canvas can change the whole picture and transform the way we think about life. My work not only encourages viewers to question their own environmental reality but to create their own transcendent journey.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I wouldn’t say that luck has played much of a role in my business. I feel that things happen for a reason. I’m a perfectionist and I have worked hard to grow as an artist and continue to grow my art business.

I really just thank God for my family and support system. I have had a great group of individuals throughout my life that has guided me and helped me grow into the person I am today, and who have supported me and pushed me to follow my artistic dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brittneyricestudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittneyriceart/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BrittneyR.Studio/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Brittneyricestudio