brandicottingham

After spending the evening at The Ronald McDonald House with the Red Shoe Society I was reminded how inspiring the art of philanthropy can be to ones soul.  During moments of dryness when my well of inspiration feels more like a desert then a lush tropical rain forest, I’ve instituted the practice of turning my focus onto asking the questions Where can I give? What can I add? How can I extend my reach even just an inch longer?  Today, I’m not recognized as a master painter nor do I write the “Big Checks” which are only one part of keeping our non-for profits doors open.  As a young person I was exposed to philanthropy, in this lifetime I’ve had the privilege to have many perspectives sitting on both the asking and giving side of philanthropy.   Very few people ever achieve Mastery in their chosen field, very few have the opportunity to write the BIG checks.  However, the art community is built out of more than the masters works.  The art community is layers of novice artisans, craftsman’s at every level of skill, let’s not discount the viewer, the art buyer or even the critic.  The art community is not built out of one puzzle piece it’s an intricate combination of many aspects.  For instance I’m the writer of these words, you the reader and together we’ve collaborated to connect in this moment.  The same is true in the world of philanthropy, it’s a community built on many personalities that come together to nurture the life of our non-for profits.  Some of us write checks, others attend events, volunteer time, sit on boards, share charities mission with friends and co-workers.  It becomes mystical (Per Aunt Kathy) when we recognize our individual role and how our one piece fit’s into the overall puzzle.  I invite you to take a moment to connect with your purpose, where do you fit in your communities that matter to you?  Art and philanthropy are two of mine and with every year I see myself coming up with new ways to extend my reach in these communities.   I believe we are all artist and I also believe we all have a generous heart with a longing to live in community working alongside our neighbors, families and friends.  I invite you today to give something away in a new and brilliant way.  Those who master anything in life value a key ingredient of daily practice.

Publilius Syrus

Collaboration by Cheryl McGlothlin, Bonnie Cochran, Betty Spitzberg, Jennifer Hove, Joe Brown, Laura Hamilton, Elise Richardson, Julia Stellar, Cali Lancarte, Andi Goodroe, Katy Neely, Josh Gray, Lauren Haggard, Emily VanLangen, Dan Kilkenny, Court Goodroe, Julie Wilinson, Al Silva, Nancy Jetter and Brandi C.

36×36 Acrylic on Canvas

to be auctioned off April 12th

Raise the Roof House Party

  Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth

online bidding accepted thru noon April 12th.

The month of February reminds us all to stop and smell the roses!  Valentines Day may be a Hallmark holiday for some or more a reminder to us all to demonstrate Love to those we share our lives.  I’m fortunate to live in a city, who expresses it’s love for community,  by supporting families with children who are challenged by illness.  I personally invite all my friends and family to come support the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth.  Come see the building that houses the love and nurture our community gives to our Texas families.  The evening is designed to educate and expose the gifts and needs of RMH while having fun and painting.  Everyone will create their own masterpiece. And,  as a group we will come together as community and create one large painting which will be auctioned off by the Red Shoe Society.  This collaborative effort will generate funds to support their mission To provide a supportive home-away-from-home for families of children receiving medical treatment at area hospitals.     Be apart of Fort Worth history, your reach is only a brush stroke away from touching the hearts of children and their caregivers.

This week I was honored to share my studio with some of my favorite mom and daughter duos.  The inspiration…. Collaboration, objection was for each mother and daughter to find a flow where both artist feel able to access and express themselves while sharing one canvas while each person comes together to create one cohesive and accepted finish product…..painting.

Universal Mom Jen Hove & Devon

Aunt Amanda & Emma Jean

The act of collaboration is a main ingredient used by artists one may be collaborating with inspiration, brushes and paint.  Or it’s their Muse dancing in their minds eye.  Even those who are a “One Man Show” are collaborating with life.  This year Collaboration is something more then just my individual expression with my paint and canvas.  This year it’s my Theme.  I’ve opened my studio doors let other’s come play and paint with me.  Opening day was with some of my favorite mother and daughter pairs.  I believe the Mother/Daughter relationship can be one of the most dynamic collaborations women create.  Which may be why many artist have used the mother and child as the focus of many works of Art.  This relationship  is depicted depending on the qualities charged and the expression each women bring into the relationship.  Painting with other mothers and daughters.  Life revealed many characteristics created and shared within the moments one is a mother or a daughter.  Women seem to be in constant evolution as they unfold their true nature.  To Stand on ones own Foundation and also to support and acknowledge the magnificence of other powerful women and their unique expression.  How many times a day  do I feel I have the only way, the correct way to enter life?  The word infinite comes to mind as the number to which I’ve been “Right”.   How often have I stifled the expression of others in order to see “me” manifested in the world?  ALOT!!  Even more, how brilliant my life if I allowed for both.  My expression mixed and amplified by also having the courage to allow others to manifest themselves fully into my life.

Brandi C. & Sydney Lauren age 3

Sydney Lauren

I know my daughter has been one of my greatest inspirations.  From the moment she grew inside of me I first painted the painting that hangs above her bed.  My motherhood has been redesigned in her honor.  She inspired me into a greater love then before she arrived into my life.  I look forward to painting with her for the remainder of mine!

“Butterfly Girl”
Brandi C. & Sydney Lauren 1/2013

Mr. Manana
Mask Series 2008

June brings another farewell to one of my own personal favorites-Mr. Manana is retiring from public view and headed to spend his twilight years amongst the private spaces his new owner calls home.  I have a bittersweet feeling as I prepare to finally release this guy to his own private life without knowing when or if we’ll meet again.   However, I’ll take with me the message he brought as I explored the energy of the muse he was painted.

Mr. Manana represents the passive energy that can be triggered at any moment in any one person.  It’s the energy that exists when we decline the opportunity to live with intention.  Passively taking an opportunity and halting it from moving and growing into the life by pushing it away from us into “Tomorrow”. Living intentional means living fully expressed in this moment.  Making the phone call now! Arriving at the decision today! Creating and causing ones dreams to manifest through a continual series of right action.  Every moment brings an opportunity for something.  Wearing the mask of Mr. Manana keeps that something always at the distance of a tomorrow which never arrives.

Letting go of Mr. Manana feels like letting go of an old friend who felt comfortable but keeps me from creating the new series of today.  Horace did not become famous for writing “Carpe Cras”.  Take this moment to give yourself a gift and seize something you too have not allowed yourself to receive and receive it now!  No Excuses!  Seize this moment by taking an action you have been putting off and maybe it will lead you to your biggest adventure!  I’ll be heading to the studio, I just seized the opportunity to let go of something old and by doing so I created a big open space for something new to manifest!  I wonder if he’ll be as mucho fun as Mr. Manana has been for me?   I’ll keep you posted……tomorrow!

“Mr. Take Out”
Cottingham Realty
Greenwood, IN

“Mr. Manana”
Mask Series 2008

 “Mr. Take Out” finds his destiny flies him to Indiana.  I should have added goose bumps on him as that’s what I have when I think of the inspiration that birthed him and recognize those first seeds were planted when I too called IN home.   “The Mask Series” is a group of paintings which have received mucho attention from the very beginning when “Mr. Manana” hit the public eye.  My life is full ironic measure when I play back the moments which brought me here, “Mr. Manana” was painted in Indiana to live in Texas and “Mr. Take Out” while painted in Texas was spotted by a Hoosier who just needed some time to find the perfect Indiana wall.

The Mask Series was and is inspired by the idea of the mask I’ve seen myself and other’s wear to cover up ultimate true self.  “Mr. Take Out” is about the outer band of mask shown to the public eye.  It’s the mask which adapts to its surroundings because of the fear ones true self-will be rejected or alienated from others.  Have you ever covered your true thoughts and feelings up with a false front in order to go along with opinions and beliefs of others?   Gave up on your truth in order to belong to something outside of your self?

I have a belief that we all have an artist that resides within us.  My “Artist Magic” expresses itself in its own oneness and unique speak.  My art will grow and become rich with wisdom and technique with every mask I remove as I connect with the pure creative energy that I entered this world.   “Mr. Take Out” represents the mask which is comprised by fear and longing to be loved.  Which in turn is the message the mask tells to others only to attract back into itself and perpetuate constant fear and alienations of truth.   Pushing Love away into a future always at bay.

For me the journey has been to turn my inside’s out.  To shed the inauthentic mask’s of my outer life and fearlessly show the world expressions of my truth.  The simple task of connecting with my instincts.  Letting go of the voices outside of me telling me what my beliefs, opinions and life choices should be.   It is each person’s foot print to know their own knowing.  A wolf does not wear the mask of a bear.  A cat is a cat and a dog is a dog.  It’s the confusion promoted when we believe we’re the ugly duckling and yet our birth right is be a swan.

I haven’t traveled this path alone as “Mr. Take Out” was accompanied by two of my favorite mask shedding super fun “Wind Beneath My Wings” gal pals.   They’re the friends who show up when the mask has been removed and the raw you is exposed.   They bought my first paintings, endlessly promote my unclaimed gifts, they hold my hand, wiped many tears and continue to be the gutsy broads who courageously march to the beat of their own drum!  And if your lucky like me you’ll find yourself “belly laughing” at 5am and realizing the fortune spent at the make up counter just washed away as the tears of laughter spilled out while sharing my life openly and freely with companions who celebrate the truth behind the mask and beauty of my own unique being, which used to be held so tightly inside, gains light and the transparency becomes the only mask worth wearing.    Love and Laughter~Brandi C.   

What came first the egg or the chicken?  The artist or the creativity?

LIP SERVICE 2012

As I installed “Lip Service” onto the wall I was amused to find where this painting would call home.  Of course she will not be tucked away in someone’s private collection but OUT in the public’s eyes to speak to many women.  As I painted her she taught me the gift of lips.  I entered this  painting through pain of untruths, lies and deception.  As I painted through those emotions I heard a new message… Lips are a powerful tool,  lips are the foundation of great love stories, they are the gatekeeper of the words which inspire generations of people, they carry the tunes from the heart.  Lips may be used as a tool to bring destruction, speak lies, be the carrier of negative beliefs and when shut withhold spirit.  And the same lips may be used for both, as lifetimes are filled with many stories.

What are you using your lips for today?  Have they become boring, without life and passion doing the same ole thing as yesterday?  Have your lips become passive carriers of life turned to auto pilot?  Focus on your lips.  Focus on how your using this beautiful exotic tool that was given to share the energy current of your life with others.  For the greatest things I’ve used my lips have been in relationship with another.    I  believe my lips are the gate-keeper of my words that are the physical manifestation of my heart.   I pledge to intentionally use my lips for deeper connection to life.  Do it with me!!

Dr. Jeff Hantes
Hephill Ave
Fort Worth, TX

If you find your lips need reviving a facelift of some sort a rejuevenation…..then go see “Lip Service” and Dr. Jeff , his staff have all the tools to cause your lips to look beautiful again,  and put them back on center stage.    Spend some time creating a plan on how you can use your lips to bring something fantastic into your world!   Together we’ll share a mission with our Lips and maybe someday answer the question of what came first… The Lips or The Kiss?