Meet Cassie Brazeau | Print maker, Illustrator & Ceramicist

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

Hi Cassie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I love to leap first and figure it all out as I go. Some of the most pivotal moments in my life have happened because I thought to myself “OK this sounds fun, I’m just going to do it and see what happens.” That being said, I also love to always *look* like I know exactly what I’m doing. There’s some calculation that happens in a scramble at first after I decide to leap blindly. I do love a free-fall moment though, and I’ve always loved to challenge myself in this way.

Artistically speaking, I had a professor in college who really encouraged us to work through all of our messes and continue on the same piece as opposed to starting over. I think that has taught me so much in the way of practicing my skills and finding depth in my personal work, both emotionally and technically.

It’s sort of a risk to take a drawing that feels very precious because it’s going well, slop a layer of paint over a section of it because it doesn’t feel quite right, and just keep re-working it. It’s in these moments that I reach a place in my mind that isn’t regular day-to-day thought, but something a little more chaotic and pretty and connected.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I went to the Art Institute of Boston, dropped out after two years, took some time off, and then finished my degree at UNH. I spent a lot of time while I was at UNH in the ceramics and printmaking departments (both mediums involve expensive, extensive and LARGE equipment so I took advantage while I was there). After graduating I realized there wasn’t much opportunity to use kilns or printing presses locally, so I saved up and bought a Conrad monotype press that cost more than my car at the time. Shortly after, my friend created a community clay studio and I became a member there. When I took a step back, I realized I had created a reality out of some seemingly impossible dreams. I was an artist with not one but TWO studios (both shared with incredibly talented friends and peers). I think this realization was one of my proudest moments as an artist. I just felt so immersed in creativity, community, and the ties that bind.

My art tends to depict some dramatized, sort-of-funny exaggeration of emotions that we all deal with on the regular. As humans we all experience grief, despair, joy, fear, exhilaration and boredom (just to name a few) and we all express it in our own ways. I like to push the levels way up with the expressions I draw and create something that everyone can look at and think “hah! yeah I’ve felt that way before”.

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?
OK I’m going to assume it’s summer or at least a nice-weather season here in New England. I would take them to the Corner Pub for a drink on the picnic tables where we could watch for the local man who rides a horse through town with his off-leash dog by his side. We would have some dinner at Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier, which is an incredible spot for seafood where you can BYOB and also bring your own side dishes! I’m probably giving away some of the local secrets here so I’ll just say there is a very lovely beach nearby that allows bonfires at night and we would definitely spend some time there. Black Birch here in Kittery is always so fun. Best cocktails and food and they’re always spinning some amazing vinyl. Right next door is Buoy gallery and they always have some incredible art on display. If they like shopping I’d bring them to FOLK, a local shop run by my friend Amelia that sells beautifully curated items. I’d hope that Rick Rude (I’ll say my favorite local band but really they are my favorite all-time band) was playing a show while my friend was visiting. And because we are assuming it’s nice weather, and I live in a truly beautiful place surrounded with mountains and ocean access and swimming spots, we would spend so much time outside exploring some of my favorite trails and spots. Lots of swimming would happen!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Firstly, shout out to my Dad who taught me how to draw all of my favorite 90’s NICKELODEON cartoon characters in all of their colorful grotesque glory. To my high school art teachers who encouraged me to stop skipping all of my other classes and to sign up for art classes. To Wrong Brain, and Sue’s (OG Takedown) for being full of beautiful humans with beautiful minds and a constant drive to push boundaries of what is possible to do creatively in a local, organized way. To all of the local bands and artists and craftspeople who I love SO MUCH and who constantly inspire me to keep being as weird and creative as I want. (they know who they are and there are too many to list but trust me when I say they are unparalleled). Lastly to places like Chapel + Main, Flight coffee, and Auspicious Brew who support the arts by displaying local artists and showcasing local bands!

Instagram: clbrazeau_art