Corinna-Nicole Brewer has a way of making everyday images come alive with color and emotion. Having only started painting four years ago, Brewer continues to explore all types of art mediums, but seems to be continuously drawn back to oil paintings.

IBI: How have you nurtured your craft?

Brewer: I studied art at the University of Montevallo where I received my Bachelor’s degree. It is here where I learned to explore different mediums, enhance my craft and explore my potential. Although the school is located in Alabama, a bible-belt state, the school itself is very liberal; I felt comfortable creating works of art that dealt with controversial issues. I am now in the process of obtaining my Master’s degree in Art Practice at UC Berkeley. I have been extremely grateful for the opportunities to study art in collegiate settings. Nothing pushes you harder to nurture your craft than to be surrounded by other artists and to be in an environment that encourages you to try different things and to challenge yourself. If you don’t surround yourself with other creative individuals, it can often become hard to be inspired or motivated artistically. Although higher education may not be for everyone, it has been one of the most important things in my life towards the development as an artist.

IBI: How do you handle a creative block?

Brewer: Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a break, giving myself the chance to refocus. Other times, I have had creative blocks due to insecurities or fear that an idea for a work of art was not good. In cases like this, I have found that just conversing with someone about my idea can lead to valuable insight and positive critique that can erode any creative blocks.

Brewer: How does your sexuality come through your work?

IBI: Sometimes it is more obvious than others. I have done paintings and drawings about lesbian relationships where I have used myself as a model. I have done works that deal with LGBTQ subject matter, but my sexuality is not directly obvious. I am currently working on a project that investigates lesbian masculinities and gender identity, and although I am not a masculine lesbian it is a topic I am interested in. My sexuality doesn’t always come through my work, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not intentionally. I have done portraits of babies, works about the relationship with my dad, drawings of interracial couples, etc., all of which have nothing to do with my sexuality. In my new work, which is in its beginning stages, I explore whether or not there can be a relationship between symmetry and attraction to the same sex, however, the end result of each painting reads a multitude of possible interpretations that don’t necessarily relate to my sexuality.

IBi: There are LGBTQ artists that don’t like to be labeled as such. How do you feel about that?

Brewer: It is not important for me to be labled as an LGBTQ artist, although I wouldn’t take offense to it. My art isn’t always about LGBTQ subject matter, which is perhaps why some artists prefer not to be labled as such. Being lesbian is not the only part of my identity, and being labeled as an LGBTQ artist puts me inside of a box. I don’t want to exclude viewers who do not identify with LGBTQ, so I would prefer to simply be known as an artist (who sometimes creates LGBTQ art).

To view more work or artist information please visit www.artbycorinna-nicole.com. For questions, comments or information about prices of completed works/commissions please e-mail the artist at corinna_915@yahoo.com.

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