Bio: Brandon Sutliff is a visual artist whose acrylic paintings explore the emotions and experiences of spending time in nature. He holds an MFA from California State University Los Angeles and a BA from Concordia University Irvine. His work has been featured in various national juried exhibitions, including at Artios Gallery, Palos Verdes Art Center, and Keystone Gallery. With seven years as a production artist, Brandon draws on that experience to inform both his own art practice and teaching. Currently, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Statement: As a painter, my creative process is deeply rooted in the exploration of non-representational forms and the infinite possibilities that arise from layering different materials and techniques. For me, the act of creating art is a meditative and spiritual practice that allows me to connect with the world beyond the physical realm.
In my practice, I begin by building up layers of materials, both physical and conceptual, through a variety of techniques and decisions such as rendering and blending. I allow each layer to inform the next, responding intuitively to the marks and colors that emerge. This process of building and reacting creates a dialogue between the materials and myself, ultimately leading to a final composition that is rich in layers and depth.
Through my work, I seek to evoke a sense of wonder and transcendence that invites the viewer to explore their own relationship with the spiritual realm. Each piece is a unique expression of my innermost thoughts and emotions, translated into layers of color, shapes, and movement.
I aim to create abstract visual experiences that are open to interpretation and invite the viewer to engage with the work on a purely visual and emotional level. By avoiding representation in favor of abstraction, I aim to transcend the limitations of language and rational thought, allowing for a more visceral and intuitive experience of the work. The layered nature of my pieces invites the viewer to delve deeper into the work, discovering new details and meanings with each successive viewing.
Ultimately, my art is a testament to the power of creativity to transcend the boundaries of the mundane and connect us to something greater than ourselves. It is my hope that my work inspires viewers to embrace their own journey and to find beauty and meaning in the world around them.