We were lucky to catch up with Brittany Vogel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
I think it’s very natural for a creative person to have periods of time where we don’t know what to paint, etc. My creativity goes in cycles where some times I have more ideas than I can make and others where I don’t even want to go into the studio.
I use those non creative periods to work on other non-art projects or on the marketing and sales of my art.
After a period of time, I make myself go into the studio and just start small. Examples of ways that I overcome creativity blocks can be just
drawing on paper,
painting a small canvas,
or looking at previous work and taking an idea I love from a series and expanding on it.
Usually once I start working, the ideas start flowing. Interestingly, if I’ve been away from the studio for a while, new ideas come out of my hands that are influenced by the different work I’ve been doing outside the studio. This may lead to a completely new series of work, or an interesting idea that can be added to expand an existing series.
It can feel intimidating to go back into the studio after a period of time, but I always feel so much better once I’ve made myself just put a line down.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
It may come as a surprise that before I found my voice as an artist, I spent the early part of my career in the corporate world—first as a salesperson at IBM, then in brand management for consumer-packaged goods after completing my MBA at NYU.
When I stepped away from business to become a full-time mother and artist, it sparked a range of emotions. There was a sense of freedom and purpose, but also an internal tug-of-war between identities I had worked hard to build. That very tension—the pull between opposing forces—has since become a powerful theme in my art. My work explores contrast and complexity: chaos and order, man-made and hand-made, geometric and organic. I use layered painting techniques to reflect the layers we all carry, both seen and unseen.
What makes my artwork special is the emotional energy embedded in each piece. Whether I’m painting bold abstract forms or portraits of powerful women, I aim to create art that not only catches your eye—but changes how you feel. Many of my pieces reveal small surprises upon closer inspection: textures, embedded symbols, and details that unfold over time. That’s intentional. I want people to come back to my work again and again, always discovering something new—just as we’re always uncovering new parts of ourselves.
My Powerful Women series was born out of a personal frustration: I realized how little I’d been taught in school about the incredible women who shaped our world. I wanted to change that—not just for myself, but for others. So I started painting portraits of women from history whose stories deserve to be told and celebrated. Each background is a visual collage—a layered, symbolic history of that woman’s life, capturing both her achievements and the barriers she overcame. The woman is painted in my unique expressive line drawing technique, giving her the powerful center stage in the painting.
These works have become a source of strength for me personally. When I look at them, I’m reminded of the courage and resilience these women embodied. It puts my own fears and doubts into perspective. If they could persist through what they faced, then so can I.
I studied art for over a decade as a Junior Associate at the Museum of Modern Art and refined my studio practice at the Art Students League of New York, where I was honored with a Merit Scholarship in 2019. Since then, my work has been featured in numerous New York City exhibitions and selected for juried shows at the Monmouth Museum for three consecutive years. I’ve created a 12-foot-wide interactive mural in the Columbus Circle subway station, delivered artist talks at the Bruce Museum and the Hoboken Historical Museum, and presented solo exhibitions across NYC and New Jersey.
My work has been featured in Yahoo! News, Hmag, TAPinto, and 07030 Magazine—but beyond the press, what matters most to me is how people feel when they experience my art. I want it to be a source of strength, joy, and empowerment—whether it’s a painting that anchors a room, a print that brings light to a quiet corner, or a piece of gift shop merch that carries a spark of beauty and encouragement wherever it goes.
That’s why I offer my artwork in a range of forms—from original pieces to accessible prints and unique art-inspired merchandise—so that everyone can bring a little empowerment into their everyday life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have helped me succeed—both professionally and personally—are organization, perseverance, and curiosity.
Early in my career, I discovered that organization gave me a significant advantage. I created systems that worked for me, ensuring that nothing slipped through the cracks. Breaking large projects into manageable pieces allowed me to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. That structure helped me meet deadlines consistently, building trust with clients and colleagues alike. One example of how being organized helped me as an artist was a group that I had worked with once was organizing a new program and had 2 weeks to put together their first solo show with a new venue. They knew from working with me previously that I could pull it off in a short amount of time, so I was given first dibs on the solo show of my Powerful Women series and all of the publicity that came with the new program.
More recently, I’ve come to deeply value perseverance—especially as an artist. The art world can be noisy and unpredictable, and there’s no set roadmap to follow. It’s easy to feel discouraged or lost. But I’ve learned that small, consistent steps forward add up over time. Each day, I commit to doing one thing—no matter how small—that moves my work ahead. At the end of the year, those tiny efforts accumulate into real accomplishments I can be proud of. Last year, that meant sending over 100 pieces of my artwork into the world to be enjoyed. Choosing not to give up on my dreams has been one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve ever made.
Curiosity has also been a driving force in my life. It’s what keeps me growing—not just in my artistic practice, but in every area of my work. Whether I’m exploring new painting techniques or learning more about marketing, I’m always seeking to evolve. In fact, one of my most unique series, Order vs. Chaos, began with a moment of spontaneous curiosity. I was cleaning my paint palette when I noticed a beautiful slab of dried paint—layers of color fused together in a completely unplanned way. Most people would’ve thrown it away. But I flipped it over, saw something compelling, and immediately started a new canvas to see where it might lead. That one moment of creative curiosity led to an entirely new body of work that’s become central to my artistic identity.
These three qualities—organization, perseverance, and curiosity—are the through lines that connect every chapter of my journey, no matter the role I’m playing.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been transforming my art practice into a more professional and accessible experience for the people who connect with my work. I’ve invested significant time and resources into creating a more seamless and inspiring journey for my collectors—from discovery to purchase.
One of the most exciting changes was launching a new website with full e-commerce capabilities. Now, visitors can easily explore and purchase original artwork, canvas or paper prints, and gift shop merchandise like tote bags and mugs—making it possible for people to bring empowering art into their lives at a range of price points. Whether someone is looking to invest in a statement piece or add a touch of inspiration to their everyday routine, there’s something for everyone.
I’ve also embraced new ways to connect with my community. With a new logo and a more consistent presence on social media and my VIP email list, I’m showing up regularly to share not just my art, but the stories and energy behind it. I’ve deepened my knowledge of marketing, applied to more in-person exhibitions, and for the first time (and then again and again!), I participated in art festivals. I even invested in my own booth setup so I can continue showing up in person and building connections face-to-face.
Perhaps most meaningful has been the opportunity to support causes I care about—whether by donating artwork, offering a portion of sales to charity, or creating art experiences that give back. Through all of this year, I’ve seen more engagement and sales than ever before—and more importantly, I’ve had the joy of watching my work spark conversations, confidence, and connection in people’s lives.
This past year has been about creating a bridge between what I love to make and the people who need to see it. I’m still early in this journey, but I feel like I’m just beginning to tap into the full potential of what my art can offer others. I’m excited to keep building that bridge, one bold, empowering piece at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BrittanyVogelArt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BrittanyVogelArt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrittanyVogelArt
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