The Brush Off Artists

IG: @gian_brack

Website

I am an artist and illustrator based in New York City. Emphasizing traditional materials and techniques, I capture the emotional subtleties of my subjects and translate narrative through intentional composition and color. Painting is my medium of applied anthropology—an opportunity to study the mechanics of human experience, our relationship with nature, and our perception of the world. I look forward to each new piece as a study and potential revelation, merging classical discipline with contemporary investigation of what it means to be human.

This competition is important because it offers an opportunity to demonstrate the skills I’ve learned illustrating live events while expressing my identity as an artist studying at FIT. Given how much my craft has developed over the past three years in the Illustration program, it is a huge honor to present my work on the platform this design contest offers. Because creating public art has greatly influenced my process, it is a dream to make my professors and family proud by participating in The Brush Off.

IG: @anndonmyfeet

I’m a freshman studying Fashion Design, which I chose because my goal is to create garments that leave the wearer feeling a little more loved than they did before they found them. I want my work to make people feel something—to feel seen, confident, and connected to themselves.

My first year has mostly been about learning the basics, which I appreciate, because what use is a creative mind if one isn’t equipped with the tools to bring ideas to life? I’m participating in The Brush Off because I want to put myself out there, push myself out of my comfort zone, and be surrounded by other creatives.

I’m excited to see how other people think and approach their creative process. I know I will learn a lot from the other contestants, and I hope to take inspiration from their perspectives while continuing to develop my own creative voice.

IG: @hanalita_kohana

My name is Hannah Gao. I am a Fashion Design freshman at FIT. Since childhood, painting has been my own form of therapy—a way to soothe myself and create a world I can live in. Even the smell of oil paint feels familiar and comforting to me. When I began preparing my portfolio to apply to fashion design programs, my focus shifted from the canvas toward clothing. Looking back, I realize it has been over a year since I truly picked up a brush to paint—and inhabit—my own world.

Seeing the call for participants to The Brush Off reminded me of something deeply important to me that I had set aside. I want to participate as a way of returning to painting, making room for it in my life again, and sharing the world I create with others.

IG:@finnart.pdf

Website

Hello!! My name is Finn Marks, and I am currently a senior in the Fine Arts program here at FIT. From a young age, art has called to my soul. It’s as if I grew up in a desert and each artwork I created, no matter the medium or technique, was a glass of water quenching my endless thirst. While studying at FIT, my technical and mental artistic abilities have improved greatly. Although, the next step in my journey to becoming an artist involves the community around me, which I hope to attract or inspire. Taking advantage of opportunities like The Brush Off will help get my foot in the door of the art world, a world that I deeply aspire to influence. Additionally, I used to be afraid of creating art around others, especially on a timer—and as an artist, I can’t let fear hold me back.

IG: @zoes_artarchive

My name is Zoe Mullen; I’m a 21-year-old artist from Fishkill, New York. Growing up, I was always good at art. However, I did not use art as a way to express myself, but rather to show I was good at something. I fixated on the replication of others’ art, copying references and practicing technical skills. Once I entered AP Art in high school, it was evident I needed to dig deeper. Now, a senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I realize why it was hard for me to explore the topic I am so interested in. This is because I am exploring the concept of growing up. I love sourcing fabrics, magazines, newspapers, buttons, and other physical materials that evoke feelings of nostalgia. My current works are process-driven, using my personal resources and references to express my own ideas. In The Brush Off, I would love to let loose and not worry about every detail of my work. Instead, I want to embrace the process and remember that a big part of creating is having fun. I hope to find new connections and mentors throughout the competition, aiding in my transition to the art world after graduation. 

IG: @dph373_art

I am participating in The Brush Off because I believe in always challenging and pushing myself—especially when it comes to my art. I think it will be a very constructive experience for me, as I can’t say I have ever felt the pressure of making art in a live setting. I want to be able to prove to myself that I have grown to a point where I can perform on a stage with other talented artists and be on par with them. 

IG: @gg_art_account

Hello! My name is Gigi, and I am currently in my fifth semester, pursuing a BFA in Fine Arts. Throughout my whole life, I’ve been drawn to fine arts on a very deep level; it was the most meaningful way to express myself. I was born in China and was forced to stay in foster care and at an adoption center for four years. I traveled all the way to the U.S. to live with my adopted family and create a new life. The only way I knew how to communicate was through my art. I want to show everyone what I’ve experienced throughout my life by presenting my work. I want to evolve myself through opportunities that are given to us students, showing everyone who I am as a person and also as an artist. I feel like The Brush Off will help me increase my confidence in my artwork and problem-solving throughout the process. It will also help me figure out how to work in a fast manner without doubt. Whenever I display my art work, I want people to reminisce about the emotions that relate to them and not what it presents.

IG: @sentient.thread

I’m Isadora Tomines, a fashion design major from Miami, Florida. Before I ever thought about fashion, I first learned to paint. Soon after learning to paint, I began to experiment with mixing 3D elements, such as thread and fabric, into my acrylic pieces. I focus mainly on the human body, specifically the external and internal discomfort felt. By observing my emotions more intimately, I’m able to create these mixed media pieces.