ABN: What’s your work philosophy?
Brouillet: My art is a vibrant expression of my feelings and personality, and I engage my imagination to create each piece. By merging expressionism with abstract techniques, I capture animals, humans, and natural scenes, infusing them with strength, emotion, and movement. This unique approach brings the subjects to life and invites viewers to ponder their own interpretations and engage their imaginations.
Despite the challenges of perfectionism and the demands of creating art with osteoarthritis and ADHD, my determination and passion shine through in my work. I want my paintings to not just be seen, but to be experienced and felt, creating an almost tangible world that invites viewers to immerse themselves fully.
As a perfectionist, I pour immense effort into rendering my subjects to the point where they feel almost lifelike—as if you could reach out and touch them. The eyes, in particular, must express a powerful emotion. Only when I’m fully satisfied with the gaze of my subject do I begin the abstract phase—a process I call the “deconstruction.” This is where I intentionally “break” that perfection and where my background in abstraction comes into play. It’s the hardest part for me, because after investing so much time to get every detail right, taking that leap into abstraction is emotionally gut-wrenching. I’m always terrified I’ll ruin a perfectly good painting.
With each piece, this second phase presents my greatest and most challenging obstacle. It’s not just intimidating; it’s genuinely terrifying. Yet, I dive in with the intention of making the painting speak even more profoundly and resonate with the viewer. When I paint, I spend so much time refining one part, perfecting an element—the eyes, the nose, the horns, the ears—that when I’m done, it’s very difficult to let go. It’s like a breakup from a relationship you’ve fully invested in. I have to practice detachment.
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