Conversations with an Artist: Braeda Horan

8 Questions.

Braeda's artistic influence is rooted in fashion and nature; it is the interplay of color, pattern, textures and shapes that are transformed on paper to create a story. Braeda started her design career in London, lived in the African Bush, ran a non-profit art gallery in Central London and was the Small Scale Industries Director for Save the Children, working throughout the US and Central and South America.

Describe the moment you realized art fed your soul.
When I was a young child visiting old houses owned by family friends. I would gaze for long periods at the many paintings that hung on the walls throughout their homes. They created another world for me. I would get lost in the fantasies and worlds that were held inside them.

What themes do you pursue in your art?
I am fascinated by the way art gives us as the observer an opportunity to see a subject from a different angle or point of view that we may not have noticed before.

I enjoy pursuing this through my monoprinting as it is the most painterly method of print making. The beauty of this medium is in its spontaneity. It is a combination of printmaking, painting and drawing. No prints are alike — the images are unique in that they can only be made once.

Tell us about what influenced your direction for the monoprints series "Beauty and Beholden?"
I grew up in the English countryside surrounded by horses and all types of animals, as well as being able to wander in beautiful gardens and countryside. When I was in Africa, I felt another beauty and majesty, not as soft, but dramatic and heartfelt. Within all of it I could feel the perfect patterns and colors created by nature.

Source materials for me come from old reference books that I have been collecting for decades as well as from my visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum when I am in London and The Met in NYC.

This collection of memory, imagery and emotion inspires me. I wanted to tell a story with each image. It is mostly about the relationship between man, nature, pattern and color. And beauty, which brings balance. Everything is connected.

How has your work developed over time?
I began my career as a clothing designer. With each season I had to create a new collection with a new color story and theme. I always started out simply by surrounding myself with art books and colors. I would start to paint and instead of it being a challenge it would turn into a dance, a delightful flow of expression. Then it was a simple task to convert the plains of color and shape into a collection of clothing. This way of seeing translates to my print making.

What’s the most indispensable item in your studio?
My colored inks and paints.

Do you collect anything?
Textiles of all kinds.

What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen, read, watched or listened to recently?
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. He paints vivid scenes with his descriptive writing that brings the story to life.

What advice would you give to your younger self about your artistic journey?
Do not hesitate, be courageous and just put it out there.