Artist Briana Fitzpatrick creates spiritually expressive mixed media paintings. Visit her website to see more of her work.
I believe my passion for art sparked at the age of two while watching my older sister perform dance on stage. I told my mom I wanted to dance, so she signed me up for lessons.
Aside from dance, I grew up training in a multitude of challenging disciplines. These included, but were not limited to gymnastics, archery, contortion, martial arts and aerial arts. Dance, however, spoke to my heart—it became my greatest passion and I trained in it for fifteen years.
Unexpectedly, at the beginning of my professional dance career, I sustained a knee injury that required surgery. While recovering, I developed an eating disorder as I prepared for future dance auditions. Just as I was about to get back to performing, the worldwide lockdown happened and left me without a stage to perform on. My emotional and physical stamina waned, bringing me to a crossroad. That’s when I knew I had to refocus my passion.
I believe my faith led to me to discovering my passion for painting through the Milan Art Institute. I dove wholeheartedly into pursuing art and developing my voice and artistic style through their one-year Mastery Program.
Then I discovered that I loved to incorporate all my various art disciplines into creating paintings. From painting with my feet while balancing in a headstand, to using archery to shoot balloons filled with paint, I express themes of liveliness, boldness and freedom through my artwork. I invite the viewer to explore and discover hidden details.
While taking the Milan’s Mastery Program, I applied and became one of 13 artists selected from across the world to compete on the third season of their reality television show The Outstanding Artist. That led to a month-long journey in Spetses, Greece, competing for the chance to win $25,000.
I returned from Greece filled with new experiences, inspiration and fire in my gut to continue developing and pushing the boundaries of my art.
I’m currently based in Upstate New York. I worked with my dad to convert a school bus into a tiny mobile home so I can pursue my dreams of traveling and creating in new places. I want to meet more artists, communities and people, and see more of the beauty this world offers.
Art helped me heal and reconnect with my purpose in life through combining all my various art disciplines, capturing the energy and beauty of movement with color. I believe my purpose through my art is to not only remind others of how beautiful life is, but to inspire them to embrace their inner light and follow their passions.
Aside from art, my greatest love is rooted in my faith and family. Without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I can’t thank them enough for all of their support.
Artist Briana Fitzpatrick invites you to follow her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Spectacular.