BRIDIE O’BRIEN - ARTIST BIO 2023
I am a visual artist and lifelong musician. I was raised on a working farm in country NSW, Australia. Having graduated from the Australian Institute of Music in 1998, my initial focus was pursuing a music career, leading me to numerous cross-continental escapades. Between 2003 and 2005, I earned a diploma in Entertainment Design, specialising in Illustration. Despite being accepted into the National Art School in 2006, I never took a class. Instead, my path diverged towards 15 years of musical endeavours and global adventures, including living on a remote Caribbean island, busking for bread in Scotland and supporting Icehouse's national tour in 2019 playing lead guitar for the iconic 80's band, Do Ri Mi.
During my 30’s I spent 3.5 years working at The Art Gallery of NSW as an audio engineer, technically overseeing some of the most inspiring art history lectures of my life. Walking those gallery halls was the start of a profound calling back into the world of visual arts.
In 2020, I dedicated myself to studying the natural world through oil painting. I enjoy bringing landscapes to life and painting my travels, employing bold colours and impasto techniques. I have been recognised as a finalist in several national awards, such as The Paddington Art Prize, The Lethbridge Landscape Prize, and The National Capital Art Prize. My works have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including shows in Madrid, Austria, and Milan, and they have appeared on the pages of magazines and album covers.
Drawing inspiration from my family's artistic heritage and equipped with the raw experience of life, I finally feel compelled to dedicate my life to painting. I paint in oil, with a palette knife and expressive freedom. I am drawn to abstract realism and contemporary impressionism.
I frequently engage in bushwalking and, during winter, I undertake solo camping excursions in the snow. Ever observant and in perpetual pursuit of light, I find unending inspiration in nature. Each of my paintings is akin to a poem, crafted to inspire dialogue, challenge perceptions, and evoke memories. My aspiration is that my work conveys the intrinsic connection between art and the natural world, highlighting their shared roles in fostering connection, innovation, empathy, and emotional tranquillity.
My creative journey includes self-directed studies at the Louvre in France in 2019, New York City galleries in 2022 and Renaissance institutions in Italy in 2023, all of which have fueled my commitment to the transformative potential of painting. After residing in Sydney for 27 years, I have recently made Canberra my home.
Finalist:
2021 National Capital Art Prize
2022 Lethbridge Small-Scale Prize
2022 Paddington Art Prize
2023 Lethbridge Landscape Art Prize - Salon de Refuses
Exhibitions:
2021 Innsbruck Art Fair Austria
2021 The Other Art Fair Sydney (Dec)
2022 Milano Art Fair Italy
2022 Van Gogh Art Gallery Madrid
2022 The Other Art Fair Sydney (July + Dec)
2022 Solo Exhibition ‘Energy of Risk’ Corner Gallery Stanmore
2022 Group Exhibition ‘Interlude’ Sheffer Gallery
2023 The Other Art Fair Sydney (May + Oct)
2024 Affordable Art Fair Sydney and Melbourne
2024 The Other Art Fair Sydney (May + Oct)
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I have created a unique brand around my art called Beobe. The idea of Beobe came to me in a dream. And so, remembering that only the impossible is worth the effort, I have set out to deliver something that brings me a great deal of joy.
"There are two kinds of light - the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures".
~ James Thurber
All of Bridie's artworks are protected by copyright laws. Unauthorised use, or manipulation, or reproduction of her artwork will result in prosecution.
"Bridie's paintings invoke the beauty and intrigue of the landscape. She captures the snow, catches the light and conveys the mood of the sea".
Bridie's artworks are also available as giclee prints; the highest standard in true-to-life art prints.
Hustle your imagination - Get Beobe on your wall!
Thank you Bridie, I received the cards today - they are BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you so much, your talent is epic. David
I'm happy. I cannot find the words to tell how much I'm happy. Be sure I'll take care of it.
It arrived safely in Colorado, has been hung, and looks great! Thank you so much, I absolutely love it.
"Thank you, thank you, it came perfect, love it"
Bridie O'Brien
Artist
'Beobe' is the passionate creation of Australian visual artist and musician Bridie O'Brien.
Bridie sets out to deliver fine art paintings and museum-quality fine art prints.
Painting one-of-a-kind artworks by hand using pure oil paint and a palette knife.
Take a stand against mass production.
Hustle your imagination.
Put Beobe on your wall.
Learn more about The Beobe Story.