artist bio
An adept ink illustration artist specializing in monochromatic abstract realism, Brie McWade boasts a rich artistic background that spans over three decades. She has spent her life honing a creative path and is trained in several mediums including: ink, charcoal, acrylic, oil, watercolor, graffiti, typography, graphic design, and mixed-media.
Leaning into her command of ink, she often embarks on a meticulous study of city and cultural elements, translating them into intricately detailed drawings with a goal to expand into mural work.
In her recent collection titled "City as Muse," Brie explores globally recognized icons and destinations to unveil the finer details of city landmarks, texture, and curiosity. With a commitment to detail, she highlights the nuances of street scenes and architectural elements, employing crosshatch techniques as the cornerstones of her practice.
Her illustrations invite viewers to experience her POV… where lines become narratives and hatchings pave the way for curiosity -- encouraging a closer, more thoughtful, look.
Brie is resident artist for Composed Living in Woodland Hills where her rotation of work is on display, and she guides creative workshops across Los Angeles.
Her works are available for purchase. Inquire about commissions.
my art path
I’ve been a life-long creative and love creating with others. To build a creative community is a very present calling.
Mostly self-taught, I opted for drawing and painting classes instead of t-ball and soccer while growing up. My love and passion for drawing especially, began to emerge in my middle and high school years where I doodled in every margin and on any arm offered up.
My parent signed me up for what was thought to be a general community drawing class at age 15. When I showed up, I quickly realized it was a Manga illustration ink class. Having had ZERO training in (or even awareness of) this style at the time, the instructor cobbled together a drawing lesson for me that revolved around a set of ink pens and markers. Unbeknownst to him, it sparked my love of rich black ink lines. My drawing style today has evolved from that curious accident.
I expanded my interest by taking every art or drawing class available and hoped to become an architect. I loved drafting class. Due to my limitations with math and numbers, I shifted my creative energy to graphic design where I could still appreciate the art of fine line. A very winding path diverted me through a corporate career. I started accounting before shifting to the cruise industry into tour and revenue management, and contract negotiations.
Time off to raise my kids put me back into writing and communications. Something that expanded other parts of my creative brain. In my late 20’s, as my children grew, I had an opportunity to teach them through art and my creative self returned.
teaching kids
I spent many years crafting, learning, and enjoying a wide range of creative styles while also teaching my kids; afternoons at my home were often spent in Seattle and Tacoma museums wandering the halls and teaching my children on the variety of art.
My creative practice was largely a personal and private one until I had the opportunity to be an elementary school art docent for my children. I volunteered in that capacity for grades 2-5 from 2012-2017. Formulating lesson plans to educate youngsters on prominent artists, art movements, and a variety of mediums was one of the most rewarding opportunities in my artistic career. Seeing kids come alive with the lack of restrictions that creative art allows lit a spark. It gave me a strong desire to want to continue in this capacity.
my creative self today
Today, I draw almost exclusively in black ink and can spend as much as 60 hours a month making drawings or engaged in my creative practice. I utilize a variety of ink pens including liquid ink with metal dip pens. I geek out with a sincere appreciation for line width while strongly leaning on cross-hatching, line density, and stippling, among other illustration techniques. A selection of my illustration portfolio can be seen here.
All this time creating got me craving time with other creatives as a way to relate and motivate each others. This inspired Art for All, the workbook I developed to support other creative minds. As I find new and different ways to create and express myself, I’ve really enjoyed learning linocut block printing and graffiti art.
guiding workshops as a teaching artist
My graphic design and branding clients have benefited from my art background through brand building, custom illustration in logos, and package design which has made space for me to grow into an art career. Since 2023, I’ve been guiding adult creative workshops for Composed Living in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles where classes range in art style and medium. In late 2024, I expanded as a teaching artist into a second location, Sierra Madre. As the creative community continues to grow and evolve, I’m excited to continue expand curriculum to serve and inspire art in our everyday lives. Check out my workshop schedule here.
what’s next
Given the value of art for self care, mental health, and for self-expression, I’ve been engaged in course work for becoming a certified art practitioner. In this training, workshop offering will increase to offer businesses a way to strengthen and support their people by create art for well-being and mindful benefit. Art is a fantastic way to inspire team building and providing stress-relief benefits.
Contact me HERE for professional and corporate workshop inquiries.
