The origin of Beret and Brush
Virginia Brown is a self taught artist who grew up in New Hartford, Connecticut. She is a Wife & Cat Mom to two kitties, an avid Skier (Ski Patroller), Traveler, Rugby Alumni, FFA Alumni, and lover of life in its many forms.
A passion for art has been present sense a young age. Be it on the walls, gel-pen tattooist (90s Kid) , bored in class doodler, and mimicker of other pretty art .
At 16 she was invited to a friend’s birthday party where she was given a little decorated box with a stamp, ribbon, and script marker intended for homemade cards. The box was quickly out grown. Birthdays, Christmas, “Get Well”, “Congratulations” cards were among many made for family and friends. It the genuine sense of love and appreciation from the cards addressee that fueled the desire and creativity to make more.
Virginia went on to attend Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont with the intention to commission in the United States Military and receive her Bachelors of Science in Biology. After graduation the goal was to go onto be an Army Physician. And while she completed 4 years in the Corps of Cadets and did receive her BS in Biology, she did not Commission. This was a huge blow and left her future very much in the air.
She moved back to Connecticut and struggled. Sending out her resume everywhere, she took on entry level jobs to pay the bills, barely. She found herself, as most twenty something’s do, getting invited to weddings. Several within a year; and with no money for the items on the couple’s registry, she got creative. Went to the local Michales craft store and picked up some in-expensive canvases and paint. She then proceeded to create paintings. Paintings of a friends pet, a favorite vaction spot, or special occasion. Each painting was received with love and gratitude. They made an impact.
With each painting she got better and better. She often stayed up late at night, spending hours on Pinterest, studying the make-up and design of other artists. Around 2018 Art Block hit for a few years. .
Like most, March of 2020 left her unemployed. Depressed in lock down, her Husband Alex, suggested she start drawing again. And so she did.
She saved up for a Computer tailored towards drawing and started “playing” again. Taking commissions here and there. It was during the months of shut down that she joined Tik Tok and saw what other artists were creating. Things like stickers, custom art, and …..Live Wedding Painting. Well that is cool.
As restrictions on Covid started to lift in the coming years, the opportunities to try something new were ever present. In the Fall of 2021 the opportunity to work for a Wedding Photographer came about. She fell in Love with weddings, and only months away from having her own.
At first she was devastated. This had been the first job in years where she got to be creative and make people happy doing it. Then she thought back to the Live Wedding Painter. She wasn’t as good, but potentially good enough. So with the help of the Photographer, she got set up with all the new business stuff. EIN, Cert of Insurance, Contract, Etc. Posted a general inquiry to potential Brides in the area who might be interested even; and with no wedding portfolio to show. Within 48 hours she had booked 18 Weddings. Only God could have orchestrated this.
Her first Live Wedding Painting occurred on February 19th, 2022. It’s been a fun ride and we are just getting started.
She married her Husband Alex (again). This time in front of all their friends in November of 2021 after Covid had forced them to postpone the wedding festivities. A week later set out to explore America. The road trip took 6 weeks. At the end of the six weeks she was informed that she couldn’t work for the photographer full time. It wasn’t in the cards.
Note From the Artist
Thank you for following my story thus far. I am truly humbled. And while yes hard work and determination have helped me get to where I am…
It is ONLY by the grace of God that I have this life, in this way, and am able to then share it with you. He is the source of my artistic ability. I pray that with each painting, each piece of art, is an opportunity for his love and joy to come through.