Meet Brooke Westlund | Artist – Painter

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

Hi Brooke, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
12 years ago when I opened my first art studio at Pike Place Market I didn’t really think I was “starting a business”. My first space was a tiny dark studio at the end of the 3rd floor down under in the big market building without any foot traffic or customers. I was living near the market and bartending at a hotel downtown and I had just started painting, after being inspired by by uncles friend who was an artist. I just thought of my space as an art studio work space and not really a business. I was able to pay the studio rent with my tips from 1 shift at the bar, it was that cheap! So I didn’t feel a big pressure to sell the work, I was just able to freely create and explore and develop my style, I sold some pieces and was doing a lot of random art shows at coffee shops and restaurants and saying yes to any opportunity that came my way.

As the years went by, I started selling more of my work and doing custom paintings. I was able to phase out of working as a bartender and server, knowing I could always go back to the service industry at any time. This gradual shift to becoming a full time artist took a few years. I eventually moved 3 other times to different spaces in the market and landed on Western Avenue 6 years ago.

I feel so thankful that this little business of mine has lasted all these years, made it through covid and that somehow projects keep coming my way and that people want to hang my art in their homes and businesses

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve developed my abstract style over all these years and while it still continues to evolve and change I feel like I have a pretty distinct style now. In my work I like to play with the idea of balance and you can see that I often have some wild/chaotic parts as well as simple negative space to give some breathing room. I always want the viewer to be able to “explore the painting” and enjoy finding different parts that speak to them each day or each time they look at a piece.

I basically do 2 different styles of work, abstract paintings and then I have an ongoing collection of Seattle Mixed media pantings that incorporate photography layered over abstract paintings and sometimes collage with images as well.

I do a lot of custom paintings, I think what sets me apart from other artists is that I am open and flexible while working with clients to make sure they get what they want. Some artists aren’t open for doing custom work and so I think this is a special thing I have developed over the years and I enjoy working closely with clients to make their paintings special for them.

I have been lucky to do some big custom projects for hotels and businesses in Seattle as well as personal homeowners.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to suggest a perfect Seattle visit, it would most definitely include a visit to Pike Place Market to walk around all day and explore the shops, grab yummy food and treats throughout the day and then end up having a cocktail at Radiator Whiskey and then dinner at Matts in the Market or The Pink Door. Capitol Hill and Ballard neighborhoods are super fun with lots of bars and restaurants to check out and action happening!

I would say after exploring the city, getaway to the mountains or the ocean and explore the PNW! My favorite place in the whole world is Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands, it is so beautiful, quiet and peaceful.

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?
I want to shoutout Jennifer Cullin, the owner of The Paper Feather shop. We were shop neighbors on Western Avenue for the last 6 years and as small one woman businesses doing everything ourselves and creating our little businesses from nothing but our own creativity and energy! She was literally the only person that understood everything . Our friendship has been such a blessing and we have gone through so much together, checking in with each other every day about little and big decisions and getting feedback on our work. I could pop over to her shop and get her advice on which blue to use on a certain painting or what photo to use for my website or how to start taking credit cards or starting an online shop. She was there for all of it!

Website: brookewestlund.com

Instagram: @brookewestlund

Facebook: Brooke Westlund Studio and Gallery

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brooke-westlund-studio-and-gallery-seattle-2?osq=Brooke+Westlund