When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

I knew I wanted to be an artist from a young age probably around 9 or 10.  I was given one of those school memory books where you had to write down what you wanted to be when you grew up. I wrote down wanting to be an artist or secretary. I had no desire to be a secretary and certainly couldn’t spell very well but I guess it seemed practical. Later my mom signed me up for painting classes with a local artist in our small town and I quickly gave up any ideas of being a secretary!

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, Model Blake Wilson with paintings by Samantha Williams-Chapelsky

Who are the artists that have had the greatest influence on you and why?

In university, I was introduced to life drawing and soon discovered figure drawings by Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Edgar Degas. I was fascinated by the quality of the lines and marks that these artists made and how you could still sense the moment that they made a mark on the paper. These days I am obsessed with illustrators Tina Berning from Germany and Stina Persson from Sweden. They draw the figure and portraits with an amazing sense of freedom that embodies the kind of perfect imperfection that I strive for.

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, “Jenna”

What is the inspiration behind your artwork?

I am inspired by the spirit and energy found within moments and memories and by the desire to share a visual story.

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, “Kierah”

What is distinctive about your art that sets it apart from others?

I try to be conscious of being present and in the moment. As an artist and photographer, it can be easy to become distracted by all the technical complexities of art-making. My work embraces the inherent unpredictable qualities of the mediums I use allowing me to capture rich moments and details.

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, “Celebration”

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

You probably have a day job so find ways to be inspired by it.  If you embrace the opportunity to engage in some sort of creativity every day you might feel energized instead of drained at the end of the day when you finally have time for your chosen creative endeavour. Your day job might even hold opportunities for creativity that you wouldn’t have thought of! Just remember don’t loose sight of your goals.  Be inspired and learn from your every day experiences let them enhance your artist goals but don’t get too side-tracked serving others.

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, T8N, August 2016

Describe the environment or your studio in which you create. Do you have any art making rituals?

The majority of my photography is shot on location so my gear needs to be transportable and easy for me to set up and get shooting quickly.  For me, that means keeping my gear minimal whenever possible so that I can quickly connect with the people, subject or surroundings that I am photographing.  Three years ago I created an at-home studio devoted to art-making. This space has been a game-changer for me and has allowed me to reinvest in myself and my passion for creating.

Photo by Brenda Lakeman, “Mable”

What destination around the world most inspires your work?

I find inspiration in the moments that happen around me whether exploring close to home or traveling abroad. My husband and I recently traveled to Spain and we loved seeing all the different dogs out for walks in the busy cities. We challenged ourselves to take ‘off the hip’ photos of dogs on leashes. Nothing composed, no fiddling with the camera just an honest depiction of a moment on a street.

Illustration by Brenda Lakeman, “View”

Did you go to art school or are you self-taught? What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned along the way?

I have an Art & Design Diploma from Red Deer College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. The greatest lesson I have learned along the way is to always jump before you are ready. You’ll never feel 100% ready you just have to say yes and figure it out along the way!

Illustration by Brenda Lakeman, “Seeing”

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?

I would choose Time Travel. I try hard to live in the moment but I would also love to revisit some favourite moments and especially spend more time with the people I love.

Illustration by Brenda Lakeman, “Memory”

Where can people find you online or in person?

You can find my photography every month in T8N Magazine, online at BrendaLakemanPhotography.com and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brendalakemanphotography/
Follow my other creative explorations in painting, drawing and ceramics on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lakeedgecreative/

Illustration by Brenda Lakeman, “Reminisce”