Art by Brittany Huber
Written by Dani Ramirez
Senior studio arts major Brittany Huber’s interest in art began with the fairy tales she watched as a child, such as The Little Mermaid, her favorite classic Disney movie. “I think it was also a love for those children’s illustrated books you would get at those book sale events in elementary school. My mom would buy me so many of them,” she said. Huber also mentioned that one of her favorite books growing up was The Lady and the Lion, a Brothers Grimm story.
A more recent inspiration of Huber’s is Kinuko Y. Craft. Being her favorite artist, Huber described Craft as, “a Japanese-born American illustrator and fantasy artist who has done the most beautifully detailed and magical fairy tale illustrations I’ve ever seen in my life.” Huber appreciates and admires the level of detail Craft puts into her paintings.
Wonderland by Brittany Huber
Huber also shares a love for nature and animals with another famous artist she is inspired by. “I’ve also recently been very inspired by the art of Beatrix Potter and her illustrated children’s books such as Peter Rabbit,” she said, “she was not only an incredible illustrator and writer, but an extraordinary woman and conservationist.”
When creating her art, Huber enjoys drawing digitally on the drawing app Procreate. “Though I am also very fond of traditional acrylic and watercolor, it’s been my goal to be able to recreate the style of acrylic and watercolor in the digital format,” she said. One thing that Huber appreciates about digital art is that using different digital brushes allows her digital artwork to appear as if it were created entirely traditionally. Huber also said, “The amazing thing about digital art is that there is no tiring paint mixing, waiting for a canvas to dry, messy clean up, or worrying about layers or how much paint you have left before you need to buy another tube.”
Recently, Huber finished a digital watercolor piece, inspired by Potter, that was featured in the CI student art show titled Beatrix Bunny Tea Party. “I was very happy with how that one turned out because it was done in a new style for me that required a lot of trial and error,” she said. “I wanted it to be sweet and cozy with some animals and a lot of greenery and flowers so I think I was able to accomplish that.” Huber is soon to begin another fairy tale-inspired piece, “I want to continue on making them because if I hadn’t already made it clear they’re my favorite!” she said.
Beatrix Bunny Tea Party by Brittany Huber
In the future, Huber aims to make a living with her artwork. “My dream job would be to be a design artist for a collector’s edition books for companies like Fairyloot or Bookish Box,” she said. Huber shared that she collects novels that are signed by the authors with custom-designed covers, endpaper art, and stenciled edges. “It genuinely feels like you’re owning a one-of-a-kind piece of art when you buy one,” she said. “They’re my favorite things because not only can you admire them for their craftsmanship, but you can also get lost in the stories that inspired them and become inspired yourself, so to me there’s nothing better.”
Some of Huber’s other artistic hobbies include crochet, embroidery and beading. “I’ve attempted to combine all these at once into projects, not with great success, but I’m getting there,” she said.
Huber was not always set on majoring in art during college. “When I graduated high school, I didn’t apply to any colleges right away because I was deeply conflicted about pursuing art,” she said. Huber recalled all the negativity she had heard when touring art colleges and stories from those who had previously attended these colleges or majored in art. “I hadn’t really ever painted before then, just drawings, and didn’t know if I’d be any good at anything else. I enjoyed what I was able to create, but did I really love it?” she said, “That was far too much commitment for a fifteen-year-old girl to comprehend.”
After graduating from high school, Huber was working full-time but was unsatisfied without being able to use her creativity. “I ended up working at an insurance company full-time as an assistant, making higher than minimum wage at least, but the job genuinely broke my spirit. I looked for new jobs, gravitating toward anything creative, but I didn’t have any of the background (or)schooling that they required,” she said. After thinking it over, she decided to quit her job and pursue something she had an actual interest in and passion for. “Once I started college is when I really fell in love with it (art). I’ve had many kind art professors throughout my college journey at Pierce, Moorpark and Channel Islands that supported me and made me feel like I could be worth something.” she said.
“I had no idea what it meant to be an artist until I went to school to be one, and I genuinely can’t see myself doing anything else.” Huber said. To follow Huber on her artistic journey and view more of her artwork, check out her website: behance.net/britttayler.
