In the realm of contemporary visual art, where boundaries are pushed, and creativity knows no bounds, Chicago-based artist Britni Mara has carved her own distinctive niche. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Bradley University, a stint at the Siena Art Institute in Italy, and a fervent passion for creating art that resonates with deep meaning, Britni Mara is a force to be reckoned with in the world of fine arts.
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Chicago, Britni Mara’s artistic journey began long before she earned her BFA in Studio Art in 2013. Her artistic evolution has been a testament to her relentless pursuit of manufacturing work that embodies profound significance. Her art is, in essence, an intrinsic visualization of her existence.
Britni’s artistic philosophy revolves around the idea of controlling the uncontrollable. She seeks to rein in her surroundings, guiding the tumultuous forces of creativity towards a deliberate and meaningful outcome. It’s this very pursuit that fuels her artistic fire. She doesn’t view art as a mere hobby or profession but as a purposeful endeavor, a means to harness the chaos of life into something intentional.
While many artists experiment with various mediums, Britni is innately drawn to the tactile and sensory qualities of paint. For her, the physical push and pull of pigment on canvas are not just artistic processes but profound sensory experiences. Her work becomes a dance of intuition and years of experience, guiding each stroke and blending, as she seeks a meditative state within the creative chaos.
Britni’s approach to her craft is a fascinating blend of structure and spontaneity. Her works are, in a sense, snapshots of a day in her life, a visual diary that encapsulates her thoughts and emotions at a particular moment. She titles her paintings numerically, marking the date they were completed, offering viewers a glimpse into the temporal context in which they were created. Through this, she imparts a sense of structure to the inherent randomness of life.
Britni Mara’s artistic style is deeply rooted in the post-war Abstract Expressionist movements. She finds freedom in the gestural energy that these movements encapsulated. Her works exude a sense of liberation and raw emotion, much like the abstract expressionists who pushed the boundaries of conventional art. Additionally, she derives peace from the interplay of color fields, a technique that was prominent in the Color Field painting movement. Her works, thus, stand at the intersection of these two influential artistic movements.
Britni Mara is not content with merely creating art for her own expression. She is deeply passionate about fostering opportunities for emerging artists to thrive. In 2020, she founded “The Hallway Gallery,” an alternative, pop-up style gallery with a unique mission. This gallery is dedicated to showcasing the works of female and non-binary artists in the Chicagoland area. The concept is simple but powerful: turn the empty walls of hallways into opportunities, providing much-needed support to first-time and upcoming artists. It’s a testament to Britni’s commitment to the art community and her belief in the transformative power of art.
Britni Mara’s original artworks have transcended geographical boundaries. Her creations have found homes all over the world, a testament to the universality of her artistic language. Each piece she produces is a vessel of emotion and thought, making it accessible and relatable to audiences far and wide.
In May 2023, Britni Mara unveiled a unique painting, exemplifying her artistic evolution. Her custom work, a fusion of a canvas painting and an extended wall mural, showcases a style she first envisioned in 2018. This type of installation work has become her signature, representing the convergence of traditional artistry and contemporary innovation. Her ability to seamlessly integrate these two art forms showcases her versatility and willingness to push artistic boundaries.
In conclusion, Britni Mara is not just an artist; she is a curator of life’s moments, a guide through chaos, and a bridge between the past and the future of art. Her work embodies the essence of contemporary creativity, and her commitment to uplifting emerging artists is a testament to her dedication to the art world.
