Brittney Tough
Canadian artist Brittney Tough is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC) and a signature member of Women In Watercolour (WIW). She is well-known for her vibrant watercolor paintings depicting textiles.
Brittney is an internationally award-winning artist who has exhibited work across Canada and the United States. Her work was featured in Southwest Art Magazine's article "21 Under 31," as well as in The Artist's Magazine, Watercolour Artist, and the Splash hardcover series, showcasing the best in contemporary watercolor. Brittney has participated in local, national, and international exhibitions, earning numerous awards in these competitions. Most recently, she has juried several exhibitions, including the highly competitive international Women in Watercolour online exhibit. Brittney earned a Fine Arts Degree in Painting from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2007 and is based in Calgary, Alberta. She has been teaching art for over 10 years and continues to expand her practice internationally.
Artist Statement
After many years of going unnoticed, a patchwork quilt made by my great-grandmother inspired my fascination with our connection to textiles. Whether in a local fabric store or a market overseas, I delight in discovering these seemingly mundane textiles "as is" in daily life. More importantly, it is the play of light, shadow, and the vibrancy of colors that entices me to capture photo references. It's as if they are pre-existing vignettes, composed for a still life, like the colorful patterns of an heirloom quilt or the intricacies of sunlight casting shadows through lace. When back in the studio, I review the photos, crop, compose, plan, and ponder. I exaggerate these fleeting moments of light and color through unexpectedly vibrant and photorealistic watercolors.
Each painting interprets these moments in time to spark new narratives, stir up curiosity, share nostalgic stories, or reflect a relationship. I aim to evoke beauty in the mundane and provoke mystery in the unknown stories of overlooked subjects. Ultimately, I seek to bring their presence and tactility to life through the luminous glow of watercolor, a painting medium that is often overlooked.
As a watercolor artist, I aspire to create contemporary work that challenges the stagnant hierarchy of painting mediums and modernizes perceptions of watercolor painting, all while enhancing the reputation, value, and representation of watercolor painting in the community.
What is your first memory of creating?
I drew a picture of a clown when I was around seven years old, and my mom complimented me for using my imagination. Years later, I took an art class in Grade 7 and came home with realistic drawings of animals; my family seemed impressed. They would say things like, "Where did this talent come from?" The joke was that my dad failed art in school, and there were certainly no other artists in the family.
What is your relationship to your medium? What draws you to it?
Watercolor is often perceived as the underdog next to oil or acrylic, and it’s paired with preconceived ideas of what a watercolor typically looks like. Like many, I initially thought watercolors were meant to be small, plein air paintings with loose brushstrokes, using watered-down and pale colors. When I learned that you can make watercolors vibrant, I was hooked!
Now, it excites me to challenge these old stereotypes by pushing the boundaries of traditional watercolors, whether it be paper size and shape, framing limitations, color permanency, style, subject matter, or even exploring three-dimensional concepts. There is room to modernize perceptions of watercolor painting, and it’s a personal mission to be part of enhancing the reputation, value, and representation of watercolor painting in the community. One more thing—I’ve learned that in order to control watercolor, you have to let go. This medium constantly reminds me to let go and transforms my mind into a meditative state.
What is the main thing you hope your audience takes away from your art?
I hope that viewing my paintings can stir up a memory or emotion and provoke the senses, creating an experience for people that elicits a feeling of purpose, connection, or happiness.
Tell us about a challenge you overcame last year.
I had our second child and was challenged with balancing being a mom of a new baby and working in my art business.
What is your main goal or resolution this year in terms of your art practice?
Grow a larger audience. I keep working towards a sustainable art practice by growing my audience, mainly my email list. This will contribute to affording more time in the studio to create and then sharing my work with others through showing and teaching.
