This interview was curated by START Shows

With an introspective approach evident in her works, Dani Brews offers viewers a glimpse of the world through her eyes. Music acts as her guiding force, helping her navigate the depths of her artistic expression. Through her curated playlists, she delves into her internal landscapes, transforming spatial thoughts into vivid drawings and animations. Her semi-realistic style reflects the integration between her imagination and the world around her.

What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?

I found my love of art at a young age. In school, whenever I heard ‘art project!’ or ‘illustration is optional’, I would get so excited to do my homework, not only because I get to draw my way to an A but also presenting my projects to my friends made all the work worth it. Art is my escape to satisfy myself during the process and in return satisfy others with the results. I slowly started to pursue art more professionally about 6 years ago. I noticed that my drawings and doodles began to bring out deeper feelings. Art became more than a passion. For me, art serves as a means of communication — I can express myself better by drawing than by trying to find the right words to say (which makes sense since I failed English once in college, haha). I get so elated whenever someone describes to me their interpretations of my work and the similar or contrasting emotions they feel when they view it — I aim to continue communicating to the world this way.

Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?

A very recent yet defining moment for my art journey was the last conversation with my dad. I remember showing him my recent drawings, just to pass the time. He asked me if I had any plans for my art. I hesitated, admitting that I primarily used Instagram as a platform for my portfolio. Then he asked, "Are you scared?" Before I could respond, he said, "Don't be scared. Do what makes you happy." It caught me off guard because I always thought my dad just wanted me to be financially stable. So, I hustled to get a stable job early on to ease his worries, and I put my art on hold out of fear of the challenges it might bring. But that talk we had shifted my perspective. Sure, being financially stable matters, but why wait to be happy? I can still pursue my art dreams. I can thank my dad with all my heart for that.

How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?

Facing setbacks, I choose to remain hopeful, knowing that making it as an artist is inevitable—it's just a question of how and when. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy life's simple pleasures: daydreaming about my next artwork during a train ride to my brothers, sketching nice moments at home while my boyfriend plays Mario Kart in our down time, or strolling home with the confidence that my setbacks are just stepping stones paving my way to success.

Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?

Watching a lot of animated movies inspired me to start drawing. One person in the animation industry who's been an inspiration for me early on is Hayao Miyazaki. I mean, growing up watching Studio Ghibli movies was like stepping into this magical world where reality and fantasy blend seamlessly. It's crazy how much his storytelling style has influenced my own work without me even realizing it. But what really gets me is how he portrays his female characters. They're not your typical damsels in distress. They're strong, smart, and in charge of their own destinies. Seeing that kind of representation, especially in animation, was like a lightbulb moment for me. It's like, "Hey, if they can do it, so can I." Miyazaki's work proves that storytelling knows no bounds, and everyone's got a place in it.

How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?

Handling my art dreams with everyday life feels like more riding a seesaw than a balancing on a beam. During the day, I work in banking, making sure the bills are paid, but at night, it's all about diving into my art and chasing those dreams. And throughout the year, there are times where my creativity runs dry, and I just wait for inspiration to hit me. In 2019, I stumbled upon Inktober on Instagram. It's this creative page that provides daily prompts in October and participating these last few years has been a great way to work more on my consistency.

How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?

Overcoming self-doubt in my art has been a journey of growth and self-discovery. I've learned to focus on my progress rather than chasing perfection, which is such a difficult thing to unlearn! Before, I would look at my sketch about halfway done and think, “ugh, I hate how this looks” However, now, I take a step back then a deep breath and whisper to myself “trust the process…” then I endure last few hours of drawing and complete my work. This self-reassurance has helped me refine my craft and see things from different perspectives.
It's also reassuring to remind myself that every artist faces doubts at some point. Staying true to my passion and continuing to create, even when doubts creep in, is necessary. With persistence and belief in my abilities, I've gradually built confidence in my work.
I owe a great deal of my mental and emotional strength in my art to my loving and trusting support group. My brothers' encouragement and my friends’ optimism brings me joy, and the one-on-one conversations with my cousin, who feels like a sister to me, remind me to stay true to myself. My boyfriend has been my rock, especially during moments when my dreams seem distant or reality feels overwhelming. With their unwavering support, I feel confident to keep pursuing my artistic journey.

Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?

Joining the Bam! Red Dot! event was an amazing part in my art journey. It gave me the push I needed to sell art prints, something I was jittery about because, honestly, I had no clue where to even start. But turns out, when you take a leap of faith, invest in yourself, and throw in some candy near your booth to sweeten the deal, good things happen! People loved my work and actually bought it. That gave me the confidence to kickstart my own small business, dreaming big about its future success. And now, even though it's just the beginning, I’m selling my prints all over the states— there’s some in San Fran, right now! Looking back, my 20-year-old self would've never guessed that at 27, I'd be feeling this optimistic about my artistic path.

In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?

Staying motivated during challenging times is quite a hard thing to do. Especially now, I’m not 100% — losing a love one recently took a huge toll. I’ve been using art as a therapeutic tool to let out all my emotions about it and I noticed that behind the bright colors in my art, there’s a melancholy undertone that I can’t shake. The state of the world is also heartbreaking and it affects me deeply. Although, ultimately, I just have to think, as long as I’m alive, I have to enjoy this life for those who aren’t here anymore. When we lose someone, we have to endure the grief. We've been blessed with unique gifts and talents, and it's our duty to honor those who are no longer with us by living our own lives to the fullest. It’s only human to do so. Everything in life comes and goes. Perhaps, in sharing my story through my art to those who feel lost in their own struggles, I can remind them they're not alone.

What dream are you living right now?

Participating in Startshows' exhibition, Bam! Red Dot!, was a nerve-wracking yet exciting experience for me. It affirmed that being part of the art world is where I belong, especially surrounded by other talented artists. Working on animation scenes for a NYC-centric audio drama further solidifies my connection to this city and its stories. The highlight of this year will be the opportunity to create my first mural. This mural is not just about showcasing my art; it's a tribute to my dad — my family and I grew up in the residential building it will be located in, and my dad was the superintendent for 15+ years. This place and his role shaped both my childhood and our community. Immortalizing his legacy through this mural is my way of expressing how grateful I am for his selflessness and the impact he had on others in the community. It's a deeply personal project that symbolizes my love for him and the community’s admiration for him.

What advice would you give to someone with a dream?

Live your dream! Like actually live it. Living your dream isn't just about having this massive end goal. It's about finding those little things that spark joy and incorporating them into your day. Whether it's something epic like traveling around the world or just vibing out to your favorite playlist, make sure you're doing what makes you happy every single day.
For me, it's all about art. Some days, I'll be doodling away on my notepad during a phone call. Other days, I'll be grinding hard on a big animation project. But no matter what, I'm making sure that art is a part of my life every day.
So, don't wait for someday to start living your dream—make it happen right now. Make every moment count!

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/danibrewss/?hl=en

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