Interview » Brittni Wood.

Picket Signs | Social Symbols Series
Acrylic, charcoal, medium on canvas, 54 x 54 inches
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Brittni Wood is the CEO of multi-tasking. Not only is she an exhibiting fine artist but she is also the creator and proprietor of the terrific handmade showcase papernstitch and the accompanying blog by the same name… and I can personally testify a true gem of a human being. I “met’ Brittni about the time she and her then fiancé, now husband Jeff Mehlhoff (a graphic and web designer) launched the papernstitch exhibit site in the fall of 2008. The endeavor took off like a bottle rocket and it is now her full time job. (Congrats!)

Much of Brittni’s time is spent working and promoting papernstitch but somehow she manages to continue to pursue her studio art talents and show her work. And that is what brings us here today. I’m honored to highlight Brittni’s striking mixed media paintings and collages and interview her about this work and her inspirations. Read/look on and enjoy…

Contemporary Female Perspectives (group show) | Jane Gray Gallery, Jacksonville Florida
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Q: Who is Brittni Wood?

A: Hah. I love this question. I think I would say, I am a girl with many hats: artist, business owner, wife, animal lover… I enjoy being all of those things and am no more one than another.
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Q: What made you choose to become an artist?

A: Well, it was just something I always did. From an early age, I had an interest in sketching and making little drawings… I would see my mom doodling all the time when she talked on the phone, and I think that’s what initially started things for me. But I didn’t necessarily think I would pursue it later in life when I was a child. I was more interested in poetry, music, and drama as creative outlets, and then would draw in my free time. But when I started high school, I began pursuing it more and more. And one of my art  teachers my senior year really motivated me to go in the direction I did, and sort of gave me the confidence to keep going.

Shout it Out | available for purchase
Original collage on paper, 7 x 7 inches
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Q: How would you describe both your artistic style and your working style?

A: I think there are several ideas that I am exploring. At the moment, the implied textures and layering of my new paintings are a more paired down version of the very physical textures of past works. And the same goes for my collage work—paired down. More pure.

Workspace
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Q: What inspires you? And what/who has influenced your work?

A: I am inspired by so many things: nature, pattern/texture, anatomy, objects… Texture and pattern being the most inspiring to me in so many ways. The way paint peels from an old barn. The patterns created when rain beads up on a glass window.

But I am also interested in shapes and how they can have can multiple meanings. For example, there is a shape in many of my past works that most would describe as a horseshoe or a double horseshoe, which is thought to be lucky. It is actually a halo, that I pulled from the Byzantine period which typically surrounded images of Jesus and Madonna + Child. I won’t go into my struggles with religion, but these types of symbols, that mean different things to different people, are prevalent in my work. And interest and intrigue me daily.

Home
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Q:  I know you are a collector like me. Tell us about what you like to collect, whether it be displayed on your shelves or secretly tucked away and organized in your drawers (since you appear to be a neat freak, ha).

A: Yes, I love collecting artwork. I think I identify more with two-dimensional works because that is my comfort zone.  So, I tend to buy mainly small to medium size paintings and drawings, and of course lots and lots of prints. We have a storage shed filled with all our extra stuff that we don’t need from day to day. And we keep extra work there, and then switch pieces out throughout the year when we want something fresh to look at.

In the White Space | Layers of Repetition Series | available for purchase
Acrylic, graphite, and vintage fabric on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
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Q: Your husband Jeff is a designer. How would you describe both the differences and similarities in how each of you approach your creative work?

A: In many ways we are polar opposites in terms of aesthetics. Jeff is far more analytical and I am much more of a “feeler” myself. I lean towards more gestural, automatic movements and behaviors, while having a vague idea in mind if anything. While, Jeff is more cerebral and definitive in his. Although the way we approach things is very different, we are constantly bouncing ideas off of each other and are able to balance each other out.

Cannon | available for purchase
Original collage on paper, 7 x 7 inches

papernstitch | handmade showcase
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Q: Tell us more about papernstitch… the mission behind it, how it has evolved and anything you might care to share about future plans/goals.

A: We started the site in 2008 in the hopes of providing another outlet for makers and artists to promote their work. Things have really taken off for us since then, and we are so excited about the possibilities of the future. I feel so lucky to be able do this for a living. I could go on and on…
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Q: And speaking of the future tense, what would you like yours to look like?

A: This is a tough question for me. So, I guess its best to just be honest. I don’t know yet. And I think that’s okay.

Cross Pollination (solo show) | Jane Gray Gallery, Jacksonville Florida
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Q: Lastly, you obviously are incredibly busy curating a monthly exhibit plus a daily blog with a dense publishing schedule in addition to working as a fine artist. So, how in the world do you do all this? Any brief tips you could share?

A: I work a lot of nights and weekends. Its the only way I can get it all done. But, I actually really enjoy multi-tasking. Even before papernstitch, I was constantly adding things to my schedule to “fill out the day”. For example, I started a local online magazine called CREATEjacksonville when I was working as a high school art teacher, and trying to get shows for my own work. I just enjoyed having more “things to do”. And then, eventually, I moved on to the papernstitch blog, and now the site. Its not for everyone, but it works for me.

As far as tips go… I cannot say enough for time management. It sounds so lame, but its so true. Make time for the things that you love. And realize that you can’t “do it all” all the time. Make a list of priorities and check it frequently. And make changes frequently, as your priorities change.
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[ All images ©Brittni Wood ]

Super thanks to Brittni for sharing her beautifully fresh work and her time!
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