Meet brooke major | Brooke Major: Artist and Warmblood Breeder

We had the good fortune of connecting with brooke major and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi brooke, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always wanted to be an artist and a horse breeder from since I was very little. My father and maternal grandmother are entrepreneurs and having this background allowed me to have the courage to choose a creative career. Since I love challenges, and especially challenging those who say that being an artist is the most difficult career, I chose a career of that of an artist, a career of love and passion. Always fascinated by the lives of artists, for their lives are the ones we speak most of, I became passionate about learning about certain periods of painting that challenged the status quo. Artists that have inspired me include the Renaissance artists, notably Da Vinci and Caravaggio with the discovery of camera obscura, the Barbizon school’s Jean François Millet who inherently was the founding father of impressionists, the impressionists, most importantly Monet and Degas, the post impressionist Van Gogh and lastly the Dadaists, especially the great Marcel Duchamp. Their lives were very exciting, turbulent, colourful. They truly understood that to defy fitting in and contrary to popular belief at their time: in order to stand out was what would make them outstanding.

My second career as a horse breeder is also one of a sculptor, for I consider my horses to be my living sculptures. I choose the stallion to be bred to the mare mix the two together and 11 months later, my new sculpture arrives. This “career” is also considered a very financially un”stable” career, even if horse people are “stable” people. The motto “To become a millionaire with horses, you must start as a billionaire” is widely known in the horse community. Setting this aside, I have discovered that in France, breeding horses is much more affordable and easy to practice than in the United States. I know that without my horses, I cannot have understood the animal enough to correctly paint them unless I can observe the horse at every stage of its life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In order to be successful as an artist, you must paint what you love. My two subjects of prediliction are horses and architecture. I knew that in order to be a successful artist you must create something that sets you apart from the others. I love to sculpt and I love to paint, so I created works by applying both techniques of both painting and sculpture. White being a reflection of light, and the spectrum of the prism of light, while also being the predominant colour of sculptures, I chose white. My work has been awarded many prizes including Grand Prix’s of salons, young talent prizes, peoples choice awards and winner of the Mayors choice award, key of the city prize. Creating a career as an artist is not a sprint, but a marathon. Only through failure can one learn how to succeed. There are always ups and downs to every career choice, but I consider that doing what you love, you are already a success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a native Atlantan, I always have loved to visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The Atlanta Aquarium is fabulous and Zoo Atlanta are a great place to take kids. Little five points is distracting fun and Chastain park is a great place for horseback riding, festivals and playing golf. A nice canoe ride down the Chattahoochee river and a visit to the Laser show at Stone mountain at night. The High Museum has proved to become a art lovers delight with great investments in art in the last decade. I love Mellow Mushroom for Pizza, Goldbergs bagels for breakfast, the Atlanta fish market is superbe and Rays on the river is a great place for more upscale dining. And most importantly: the opening reception at Thomas Deans Fine Art Gallery located in Buckhead where I will be the featured as the spotlight artist in their summer show dates: July 15- September 4, 2023!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A shoutout is necessary to my parents who have been essential to my success as an artist, managing their logistics and relations with gallerists. A shoutout is necessary to all of the galleries who defend my work, and give value to my work. A shoutout is necessary to my husband who babysits my horses while I am away for openings. A shoutout is necessary for my best friend, Benjamin, who helps with the European logistics of my paintings. Last but definitely not least, a shoutout is awarded to my son, Ruben, for giving me the goal and ambition to make him proud of having a mother who is a great artist.

Website: https://www.brooke-major.com/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeseeart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-major-86356058/