Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Major.
Hi Brooke, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
A native of Atlanta, I grew up in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta. As a young child, I found my interest in painting and drawing while attending art classes at the young age of three with local Atlanta artist Judy Jacobs. I fell in love with the discipline and continued throughout my schooling to paint and draw. This led me into inclusion of honours classes and winning art awards for various pieces that were chosen and entered by my art teachers. In parallel to the art, I took up the equestrian sport at the very same age of three, starting my riding in the mountains when I would visit my grandfather’s farm. I then proceeded to lessons at Chastain Stables, where I learned the sport of hunters and show jumping.
Upon graduation of high school, I was enrolled in an American university in Paris, Schiller International University, to study International Relations. As I was always attracted to the idea of being a career artist, I quickly made friends with a teacher in the Beaux Arts de Paris (Parisian Fine Art School) and got higher level instruction and understanding of techniques through this channel.
I started to ride horses at the Parisian Veterinary School (Ecole Veterinaire de Maisons Alfort) and obtained my international competition license for showjumping. This diploma led me to many horse shows in the Parisian region and hence my discovery of Normandy, the French warmblood breeding grounds and home of the impressionists.
I proceeded to frequent Normandy more and more and henceforth moved to Omaha Beach .
After setting up my studio in a grain loft of the stables, I found venues to exhibit in abandoned historical edifices that I happened upon while training horses on the country roads of Normandy. The show at the church was so well visited that the town made financial efforts to renovate it and I proceeded to find other abandoned churches and castles in which I could show my work.
Following the shows, I exhibited my works in galleries in France and Atlanta, GA. These partnerships led to other shows in Belgium, Holland and all over the United States.
The number of horses continued to grow, and the time for painting started to diminish. I saw it was time to move on and even out numbers. Numerous prizes were won thanks to my unique painting style, including the Young Talent Prize in Menton, the Grand Prix in Champagne sur Seine, the Judges Choice Award at the Artfest in Clayton, GA, and the Grand Prix of the Rene Clement Bayer Salon. It was time to move on. My work was on demand in the USA on the gallery scene, and it was especially time for my own family. Today, I am exhibited in 12 galleries which can all be found on my wensite: www.brooke-major.com/en/
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Living through my two passions has made me the happiest person in the world. Everything I do involved with both of these careers that could be considered a struggle for some is a pleasure for me. The only thing that I can say I miss is enough time, which I create more of by waking up earlier and going to sleep later.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My unique concept in my artwork is using white or light beige oil paint to create images through thick low relief. I started finding my own path by laying thick layers of paint and etching into the oil paint. As years passed and my work evolved, I started to do the contrary and apply thick layers of paint creating a sculptural-like painting. I now put the paint on thick layers onto the canvas, creating a bas-relief similar to that we find on medieval and gothic architecture, inspired by the facade of the Rouen Cathedral. I choose white and beige for their purity, brightness, and similarity to the colours of limestone found commonly in French architecture. The paintings can also be exhibited by showing them with a light behind them creating a transparency through the work, or in front, using coloured lights to change the colour of the paintings. By placing the lamps in different positions allowing for the painting to be in constant movement.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was a very determined child, always looking for the source of truth and justice. I found a haven in my horses as my true friends and my art as my escape dreamland. At the age of seven, a lot of things happened to me that allowed me to choose my career as an artist. I was quite a loner for the only way to become outstanding was to stand out. Risk taking became part of my daily life, and passionate of history one of my favorite statesmen, Churchill taught me two things, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” and to “Never, never, never give up.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brooke-major.com/en/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeseeart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-major-86356058/
