Q&A’s with Artist and Painter Brooke Major
Textured art is currently in high demand, captivating collectors and art enthusiasts alike with its multifaceted appeal. Brooke Major seamlessly combines the dimensions of sculpture and painting, creating works that invite viewers to engage with both visual and tactile experiences. Her innovative approach results in pieces that are not only aesthetically striking but also evoke a deeper connection through the interplay of surfaces and materials. Major's unique ability to merge these art forms sets her apart in the contemporary art scene, making her work a noteworthy investment for discerning collectors. Learn more about Brooke’s process and inspiration below.
Q: Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
A: I am a native of Atlanta GA. I grew up going to the North Georgia mountains as a child as my grandparents had a horse farm which I enjoyed to visit. I was a horse fanatic as a child and the horse bug never left. This hobby has turned also into a vocation as I now breed horses for the sport of show jumping.
I was lucky enough to travel the world as my mother worked for the airlines.. As a child I was able to admire European architectural edifices and museums. These experiences led me to live in Europe and study in an American university in Paris. With my fascination for art and horse breeding, I left Paris and moved to France's most fertile breeding grounds as well as the birthplace of impressionism : Normandy
Q: Who are your biggest artistic influences?
A: I have always been in love with the impressionists and the post impressionists, my favorites are Monet and Van Gogh. Since childhood, one of my favorite outings was attending museum shows on this particular time period. It lead me to grow my interests and develop an extreme fondness for romanticism, renaissance and rococo periods. I can single out artists such as Caravaggio, Gericault and Fragonnard as my three favorites from this time.
Since I have been a practicing professional artist, I have fallen in love with Dadaism and in particular, I have grown to be very fond of Marcel Duchamp also a Normand. I admire this artist greatly not only for his exceptional talent as a painter but his most exceptional talent in his intellect, savoir vivre and chess playing. All chess players are artists but not all artists play chess- Marcel Duchamp
Sample installation of Trot, 12×24
Q: Tell me about your favorite medium.
A: Oil paint, clay or any material that allows a sculptural and bas relief feel to the work. I especially love oil paint as it is so flexible that I can stretch the paint out and work on it for over a week without worrying about it drying in short periods of time and allows to work longer on a piece.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: I am interested in gothic architecture and of course, my beloved horses. I am enthralled with horse breeding and have my very own stud where I breed horses for inspiration of new works. I spent countless hours watching the horses evolve from conception, birth and throughout their lives to understand the anatomy of a horse to my most acute study.
Q: When is your favorite time of day to create?
A: I typically like to start to paint around 6-7 am as I feel refreshed and I have the most energy during these hours. I usually paint throughout the day with short breaks for a quick phone call and meals. I terminate my work between 5-7 pm depending on my energy and availability in front of the chosen subject.
Q: How has your art evolved over time?
A: I had started out with the white series using thick layers of paint to create images of bridges and roads, etching the images into the paint.. As years went by, I added more and more paint to build relief and using it as a sculptural material. This process now allows me to play with the light and shadow created from the bas relief.
Q: What motivates you to create?
A: I have many ambitions as an artist. Some are modest and require to just live a nice and healthy life in doing what brings me the most pleasure. But as most professional artists may have the grand desire that our art becomes recognized in major museums and becomes part of art history.
Q: Does art help you in other areas of your life?
A: Art is about problem solving and critical creative thinking. It helps me find practical solutions to even the most difficult of any general problem I may face. Concepts that seem impossible to decipher are all of the sudden creating artwork, which placement or medium can be artfully used to master another.
Q: How do you develop your art skills?
A: The best teachers are the masters. In order to be a fine artist, it is essential to understand the importance of drawing. Following drawings done by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Moreau, Gericault or Millet (to name a few) allow one to successfully understand line, form, shadow and light to the grandest perfection.
Q: How do you define success as an artist?
A: Being a successful artist is practicing your art everyday. The ambition is to do it well in order to achieve sheer excellence. Art is not limited to plastic or dramatic arts, but whatever practice you decide to incorporate in your life. I think that art is the only form of activity through which man shows himself to be a real individual- Marcel Duchamp.
Brooke Major’s artistic journey is a testament to passion, discipline, and an unwavering curiosity for both the seen and the felt. Her ability to bridge classical influence with contemporary texture invites viewers into a world where fine art becomes a sensory experience. Whether you’re drawn in by her love of horses, her reverence for art history, or the sculptural depth of her paintings, Major’s work offers something profoundly personal and universally resonant. As her career continues to evolve, one thing remains certain—her art leaves a lasting impression, both visually and emotionally.