The Beautiful Art of Miriam Briks
An Introduction
Art is one of those things that has many definitions. There are as many definitions to the question of, "What is art?" as there are people. "Beauty" is another one of those things which is relative and varies from person to person. It may have a definition in the dictionary, but what it is changes according to which individual you ask.
So by titling this lens "The Beautiful Art of Miriam Briks", I've set myself up in an ambiguous, questionable spot. So let's hit the remaining, non-ambiguous question: Who is Miriam Briks?
I am going to copy her biography from Three Rivers Arts, because they say it so well:
Who Is Miriam Briks?
From Three Rivers Arts:
"Miriam Briks was born in Wroclaw, Poland. Raised in New York, she graduated from the School of Art and Design and studied figurative painting and drawing extensively at the Art Students League of New York.For the next six years she worked as an illustrator and art teacher in Los Angeles and Florence, Italy. She also continued her studies at the Academy of Art in Siena. Originally trained in classical art, she began exhibiting her work in Paris, Italy and England.
Upon her return to the Untied States, she took up residence in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Here she began the transition of her technique to include more varied use of color and strong gestural strokes, inspired greatly by the artists Sargent, Chase, Sorolla, and Zorn.
Portraying through rich colors and textures, her style of painting gently blends strong knowledge of the figure with classical impressionism. Briks strives to create paintings that evoke emotion and atmosphere, where the viewer is drawn into the beauty and mood of the moment.
Miriam, Briks' work has been featured in American Art Review, Southwest Art, Architectural Digest, American Art Collector and California Homes magazines with exhibits and one-woman shows in Beverly Hills, La Jolla and Masterpiece Gallery, Carmel, California, Canyon Road Gallery, Santa Fe, Dassin Gallery, Los Angeles, Trees Place Gallery in Cape Cod and Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena Ca.. Her works are found in important and private collections with collectors such as Kim Bassinger, Hayley Mills, the late George Harrison and others throughout the United States and internationally."
Why I Love Her Art
Having studied Western art history, when I look at Miriam Brik's art, I see signs of the Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite art in her works. I see J.W. Waterhouse, Raphael, and others. I like the feeling I get that, here is a contemporary art piece but it feels like a piece from olden times. I am also attracted by the realism, the color, and the subtlety in her paintings. She brings to life the scenes and people that she depicts. When you look at her art, you feel that painting's mood.
One personality whom Miriam Briks has depicted over and over is Sri Krishna. In Hinduism, he is yet another god among many, one who is known for his loving mood. To Gaudiya Vaishnavas, Krishna is the Supreme. This Gaudiya Vaishnavism, or Krishna consciousness, was brought from India to America in 1965 by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
As a Krishna devotee, I find Miriam's Krishna art absolutely amazing. Prabhupada called such art "windows into the spiritual world". I feel that when I look at Miriam's Krishna art, I really am transported to another world! It's amazing. Even without knowing anything of Krishna, seeing Miriam's works, you know you are looking at something very special. Just looking at any of her art pieces is enough to fall in love with her work.
Photo Gallery - These images are copyrighted. All rights are reserved by the artist.
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeArtist's Giclees On Her Website: http://www.dhrtidasi.com/
Comments On Her Work
Have you fallen in love with her art yet?
Here are some things other people had to say about Miriam's art work:
"Miriam works with a rich, textured palette, seamlessly fusing her classical formal training with fine Impressionism. Like the original Impressionists, painting en plein air (outdoors) allows her to seize the fleeting, momentary play of sunlight."
"For most artists, it is a very private and intimate affair between he or she and their art, but Kevin Yee and Miriam Briks have not only learned to live and love together but as married artists, they sometimes work together on the same painting, rare indeed!"
"Iris Garden"
"Miriam describes the process [of a formal portrait] as both relaxing and enjoyable for her subjects. She begins with an informal photo session, then completes a life study and drawings to capture the realistic qualities, colors and composition. She utilizes the photos along with the color study for a final larger painting."
"It is interesting to note [of Briks' art] that the finished work may incorporate components of various photos and sketches, an artist's interpretation in the truest sense."
Video with art by Miriam Briks and Kevin Yee
This beautiful video features art by Miriam Briks and her husband, Kevin Yee. It focuses on the god of love, Sri Krishna. For more info, visit krsna dot come. Also, I have a lenses on Krishna called: "What is India *really* like?", and "Deity Worship Picture Lens".
For more of the exquisite voice and music of Gaurangi, aka Pia, which is featured in this video, please visit my lens called "The Music of Gaurangi"! =)
Where to Find Her Art
You can find the art of Miriam Briks online at sites such as All Posters, Cosmopolitan Fine Arts, Easy Art, and Galerie Gabrie. Her art is also displayed in galleries and private collections worldwide.
She welcomes commission inquiries at the Tree's Place, Canyon Road Fine Art, Gabrie, and Masterpiece Gallery Carmel websites.
"Oriental Umbrella"
What do you think of Miriam Briks' art? What do you think of this lens? Any general art musings to share? Leave a comment here.