BIO
Award-winning artist Anthony R. Brass is best known for his use of color and unique expression of the world he sees. Brass is a painter and musician who is inspired by ecology, human existence, and the importance of being grounded in our natural roots. His paintings and murals can be found in several Michigan businesses and many private collectors' homes. In 2019, Anthony left his job, invested in a van and an art fair tent in pursuit of his art career. Since then, He has participated in dozens of art fairs, had his first solo exhibition in 2019, lectured in front of different groups, represented by galleries, and has been featured on television and in many publications.
Photo compliments: Deb Jacques of C&G Newspapers, The Woodward Talk
STATEMENT
There are endless distractions in our modern lives’ that pull us away from the natural world we belong to. This disconnect can convince some of us to believe that we are superior to all else on this planet. However, one can become aware of their own ego and find where their true roots belong by taking a step into the forest and absorbing all lifeforms around and within them. From the connections we share with the cosmos, to the vast networks of communication in the forest. I’m interested in all of these worlds around us. Even the ones that sneak past our own limits of perception. Using a diverse arsenal of creative methods, I aim to elevate peoples’ states of being, demonstrate the consciousness of the forest with illuminating sagas of the “Wood-Wide-Web”, and sharing the beauty I see in the world through my own interpretations. I hope to give people a deeper appreciation for the forest and how amazing it is to be existing on this priceless planet we call home.
I bring these discussions to life and showcase the beauty I see in the world through my own unique expression using paint. I utilize acrylic paint because of its expressive versatility, and compatibility with the smooth wood surfaces I employ to create my work. Often times, I intentionally leave portions of the wood unpainted and exposed. Collaborating with the wood grain and knots helps to guide my creative hand. This allows me to coexist with the tree's natural beauty, highlighting it's elegance alongside my own aesthetic.
It is impossible to capture the grace of nature, entirely. However, surrendering to the creative process, letting the universe travel through me and allowing myself to get lost in the worlds that inhabit my mind is my best attempt at giving the unfathomable multiplex of nature justice. Each painting suggests a natural unraveling, similar to the way fungal networks transmit messages from one tree to the next, or how a tiny patch of land can be full of life acting as a super organism, or the way our own feet and hands can leave an altering indentation upon the soil we occupy. The main message and purpose of my work is to spread people's awareness of the complexity and importance the natural world has in our lives. Furthermore, to enjoy life, laugh and smile because it is a great thing to exist! I hope for my viewers to think deeper and emerge themselves in a forest bathing experience for their eyes and souls while encountering my work. Equivalent to an ad campaign for a man-made product, I am spreading my own brand awareness campaign for Mother Earth through my art and soul!