"When I create, I’m not painting what I see; I’m painting what it feels like to see it."

If you and I were sitting together, I’d probably tell you that my art is how I make sense of the world.

I’ve always been drawn to quiet moments: the way sunlight paints a wall, how the ocean sparkles as it moves like it’s dancing back and forth in a sequin party dress, or the way my cats’ ears twitch with curiosity as they follow me with their gaze, perfectly still. It’s in those small, fleeting details that I find inspiration for a painting.

Where It All Began

My love for art began in childhood while growing up in Lahaina, Hawaii, a place where creativity was as much a part of life as the salt in the air. Some of my earliest memories are learning to paint watercolor sunsets beneath the old banyan tree across from my elementary school. Even then I was fascinated by color and how it could shift with the light or capture a feeling that words never could.

Over the years art became an escape, a quiet place I could return to when life felt uncertain. In 2020 painting moved from a hobby to a necessity, helping me navigate anxiety and depression with what was going on in the world. What began as a personal outlet soon became a calling and eventually a world I wanted to share.

The Heart of My Work

Today my work blends emotion, color and storytelling, often inspired by the beauty and stillness found in my everyday life. While I explore many subjects that are part of my world, I often gravitate toward abstracts, expressive florals and coastal landscapes, yet my art always seems to find its heart in cats. Their quiet confidence, curious nature and expressive personalities mirror the same emotional depth and honesty I hope to bring to every piece.

Cats have always found their way into my work. I still have school projects and storybooks from when I was little where I somehow managed to make everything about cats or sneak a tiny one into the corner of one of the pages. They’ve been my muses for as long as I can remember and my most opinionated studio assistants.

What I Hope You Feel

Whether it’s a curious cat sketch, a moody floral or a textured abstract inspired by the sea, each painting begins with a feeling I can’t quite put into words. I’m drawn to contrast where soft colors meet bold emotion and how a single brushstroke can change the story entirely. My hope is that my art gives people a moment to pause, to feel and to see a bit of their quirky selves reflected in the paper.

Beyond the Studio

When I’m not painting I work as a UI/UX Designer blending creativity and structure in a different way. My days are often spent designing user experiences and my evenings are for slower things like walking with a neighbor through our small neighborhood, reading on the beach or experimenting in the kitchen as I try to learn the tricks of sourdough. Music is almost always playing in the background keeping me company as an introverted homebody.

Where Life Happens

I share my life with my husband, our two mischievous golden retrievers, and two cats who insist on being part of the creative process. We spend our time between Port Royal, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the rhythm of the ocean and the quiet pace of coastal life continually remind me why I create. My art is deeply personal, a reflection of the colors, emotions and quiet joys that fill my life. It’s imperfect in the best way and always a piece of me.

If my art ever finds its way into your home or heart, I hope it brings a smile, a spark of joy or maybe even a happy little “aww.”

MEET THE ARTIST

“When I create, it is far more important for my art to represent how I feel in that moment rather than simply what I see.”

Brandi Whyte is an East coast artist who has been creating abstract expressionism paintings since late 2020. That year, in particular, was especially challenging emotionally and had been the driving force that drove Brandi to focus on painting in search of a creative outlet. While it has only been the last couple of years Brandi has concentrated on pursuing art more formally, it has always been a constant throughout her life.

Brandi was exposed to art early growing up in Lahaina, Hawaii, with its unique and rich culture in the arts. Her earliest memories were learning to watercolor sunset seascapes under the Banyan tree across from her elementary school. After moving back to the mainland, she pursued art throughout her years of high school. She later attended the Art Institute of Washington DC, where she majored in Fine Arts, focusing on Graphic Design.

Additionally, she has been happily working the last 15+ years as a creative professional, doing everything from designing websites to managing web content. Brandi currently works full-time as a Business Analyst and UI/UX Designer for a technology company in Arlington, Virginia.

Brandi lives with her husband, two mischievous golden retrievers, and beloved cats. They split their time between Port Royal, Virginia, and North Carolina's Outer Banks.

meet the artist