Meet Brian Connolly | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Connolly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk but no flowers grow. ~Vincent van Gogh

For me, normality is a cookie-cutter, conformist path that seems comfortable but so uninspiring. I feel this is what Van Gogh was trying to express. I resonate with this quote because throughout my practice, I have always envisaged having this internal garden that blooms when cultivated with love and completely stepping into my authentic self. Through experimentation and using an intuitive approach, I have developed a style of art that can be uniquely identified as a Brian Connolly creation. When you take the path less travelled on, you’ll discover an abundance of vivd wildflowers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artworks are shaped by an intuitive, introspective and wabi-sabi approach with a quest to find inner peace. I love leaning into this wabi-sabi concept and finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature.

I have been a full time artist in the last 3 years. I made the leap of faith when I relocated from the craziness of the city of Melbourne to the more chilled, beachside environment of Byron Bay. Environmental factors influence how I feel and being supported by the zen of nature and a wholesome group of humans, I unlocked so much within and ultimately pursued the art full time. It hasn’t always been easy, nothing is. For me personally, a big part of the struggle of being an artist is that the work can come in ebbs and flows. I’ve put everything on the line as an artist and have poured blood, sweat and tears (okay maybe not physical blood) into my artwork. The art world can be a scary place, as an artist you put your work out there to be judged and often when it is met with criticism, you take it very personally. But I have realised that the art is seperate to me, and doesn’t mean the viewer doesn’t like me. Ultimately art is subjective and as much as I encourage people to be with the work, I cannot expect them to connect to it.

Another struggle is the huge commission Galleries take, which is generally around 50%. As much as I have pushed my own works online, I am learning the power of exposure and visibility provided with Gallery representation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Sydney, in the east and so I am surrounded by a body of water. My local beach is Clovelly which is bustling with cafes and a chilled vibe. I have a favourite rock-pool that I liked to bathe in. Nature is my elixir so we would drive out to the Blue Mountains and go waterfall hopping and take a stroll through the sweet town of Katoomba, they have a fabulous hattery where you can get a hat shaped to a desired style. Located on the Western foreshore of Pittwater is the dreamiest suburb called Great Mackerel Beach. A short drive from Sydney CBD and a beautiful ferry ride up the bluest waters of Pittwater, you arrive to a beach with the most adorable cabins lined up against the shore and a magnificent rocky backdrop. You bathe in the estuary and picnic alongside surrounded by the sounds of nature, it’s so inspiring and pure magic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The art seeds were planted by my eccentric Grade 12 Art Teacher Miss Tanke. She would refer to colours as nipple pink or menstrual red and would always willingly open the door to the art room on my lunch breaks, when I had a surge of inspiration. My friends and family have always been incredibly supportive of my artistic direction. For me, I had a more serious approach to my art career when I created my first mural for Jaye Edwards at Edwards and Co Hair Salon about 8 years ago. He has since opened up around 8 salons of which I have created large scale murals for.

Website: www.brianconnollyart.com

Instagram: brianconnollyart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianconnollyart