Dutch artist. Interview. Ella Bril

In her work, you will find emotions through use of color and expressions on faces. You’ll find moments and memories. You’ll find nature and people. But most of all, you’ll find a story. 

Where do you find inspiration?
I like to be inspired by the things around me. Humans play a major role in my work. I am fascinated by what people do and don’t do. Both in a positive and negative sense. I can be caught by someone’s gaze, thoughts, looks and emotions and make a story around it. That is why there is often a central figure in my work, with a whole world around them. It is up to the viewer to watch and discover the story. Before I started to paint full time, I was in a bad state. Mentally. I felt completely drained and I was so busy trying to become something I wasn’t. I met with a therapist, and I remember she asked me “what makes you happy?” and “what do you like to do?” I guess it was from then on that I realized it was painting all along.

Now, I think that time of being depressed was the time that I felt more inspired than ever. There were so many things that I wanted to say trough painting. So I started and I never stopped.

What influences you?
Nowadays it’s social media for sure. There are so many great artists around and they inspire and influence me every day. But besides contemporary art, I’m always fascinated by the old masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Frida Kahlo and many more. Van Gogh is probably the first artist that caught my attention when I was younger. The colors, the scenes, and the fact that he was so misunderstood during his time. It fascinated me.

How do you start your work? 
It often starts with an idea that comes to me, or multiple ones. I have a vague image of how I want a painting to turn out and I start by sketching a bit. Sometimes directly on canvas or sometimes I use an iPad to give form to the idea. I often get very excited by drawing the sketch, so I immediately start to paint after. I work in layers, so I start adding a base and go wild with it.

This is always a fun part because I can do whatever I want and no one will ever see it, because it’s the first layer. It will be covered up anyway.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I walk with my dog Moos a lot. It gives me time and space to think and come up with new ideas. I’m someone who likes to be alone at times. That’s when I feel like I can truly be myself. But I also like to be with friends and family of course. Drinking wine and talking about stuff that’s going on.

Can you tell me more about Moos?
Moos is everything to me. I’m a big fan of dogs. We really don’t deserve them! I mean, the way that dogs are always so happy wo be with you. It is magic. I got her when she was just a little puppy dachshund, and it was the best time of my life haha. Now she is three years old and still very tiny and puppy-like. We are almost always together and I take her everywhere. We go to my parents’ house in Spain a lot and she always joins us. Whenever we are there, she is so happy and relaxed. She spends her days swimming and tanning. No joke. That girl loves the sun.

Have you ever been to Vienna?
No, I’ve never been to Vienna, but I would like to go in the future. My boyfriend went to Vienna ones and was amazed by the beauty of it. So that’s a great reference but I’d like to experience it myself someday.

What are you working on?
Right now, I’m working on several pieces at the same time, as I always do. I like to switch from one painting to another. I work mainly with oil paint. So, the drying process takes a while. I do that on purpose because I’m a very impatient person. So, the oils force me to be a little bit more patient and to take more time enjoying the painting process. Besides that, oil paint is such a beautiful medium. The colors are so rich and vibrant. Also, I’m in the middle of moving. Me, my boyfriend, and Moos are moving back to Amsterdam. So, I’m busy trying to find a new studio there. I’m really excited to go back after living in a small town for 2 years because of Covid and my mental illness. It’s such a lovely and cozy city, and all my friends live there as well. So it’s time for me to crawl out of my shell and socialize with them again. Really looking forward to it. Oh and I will be participating in a new exhibition in September in collaboration with a Belgium gallery, they represent 10 of my artworks. so I’m really excited to see where that’s going.

Ella Bril – www.ellabril.com