By Helen Reichert
Artist Breanna Gillan with her artwork Don't Feed the Birds in Rainy Days Gallery
The pursuit of art has been a lifelong endeavor for Breanna Gillan. Specializing in surrealist acrylic paintings, Breanna's art captures the imagination, offering dreamlike explorations of emotion and form. Her work has amassed a significant following, resonating with audiences drawn to her unique style and evocative storytelling.
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Breanna has since made Seattle, Washington her home, where she works out of her studio. Please enjoy this artist interview with her to learn more about her sart and her creative process.
How long have you been making art?
I’ve been making art since I was four years old! My grandmother was an artist, and many of my childhood memories are filled with our time spent together exploring various crafts.
How would you describe your artistic style?
I’m a surrealist acrylic painter, with emphasis on color and perspective.
When would you say your artistic style really developed?
When I turned 24, I moved to Seattle after I graduated from college. I had the time and inspiration to pour everything into painting. This was the first time in my life I got to truly explore my craft, and navigating it consistently helped me determine what I liked to do best.
Who are some artists who are inspirations to you?
Alberto Mielgo for his depth, Maxfield Parrish for his color, Emmanuel De Sousa for his creativity, and Frida Kahlo for her exploration of identity.
Breanna Gillan's 444, 2025 is available at Rainy Days Gallery in the RiNo District of Denver.
What are some common themes or ideas you like to explore in your art?
Most of my paintings explore my own life, telling autobiographical stories of moments that were pivotal to my mental state. Though sometimes I include wacky or silly themes, my work explores the depths of purpose, loneliness, accomplishment, and tragedy. I often utilize a hand, its owner ambiguous, to represent outside involvement. Red is the most important color in my paintings, always there to symbolize anger or a tumultuous mental state. The tigers can vary in meaning, often there as a placeholder for feelings of power, control, or wealth.
What sort of mediums are you drawn to, and why are they your favorite to use?
I purely focus on pencil, acrylic, and digital techniques. I am a full-time graphic designer, and I utilize my knowledge in the field to help conceptualize my painting ideas. I then sketch them onto the canvas before I start painting, so I take the time to develop that skill as needed.
How would you describe your artistic process?
It can range day to day. Usually, I have a concept of a base level idea and let the painting build itself slowly. Art has a funny way of guiding you where it wants to go, so I let myself be easily pulled, even if that means swaying from what was initially planned. That being said, many times I know exactly what I want to communicate and have it sketched out completely before starting.
Where do you get the inspiration for your works?
Everywhere. I find myself seeing things as they are, and as they would be if on a canvas instead.
Why did you decide to choose art as a career?
Art saved me from a life of mediocrity. There is no good and bad in art. This minimizes the need for ego and competitiveness, and I have found a lot of peace in that.
Artist Breanna Gillan with her artwork Aftermath, available at Rainy Days Gallery.
What would you say are your main goals as an artist?
To always create, whatever it takes, whatever it looks like. To feel inspired is my life's greatest gift, and I’d hate to lose that in the face of monetary success.
What are you currently working on?
I have been building a new collection, one much more focused on cohesion rather than collaged elements. It will focus on more general feelings rather than events specific to me.
What was one of your proudest moments as an artist?
When I started to build a community that was excited to see and decipher the art I was making.
What advice would you give to young artists-or even a younger version of yourself-just starting out?
Do it for yourself. Try as many things as possible and know that nothing made is wasted. Listen to your art, it has many things to teach you. It will come and it will go, but it always comes back. You don’t need to find a style. Just focus on expanding your craft, and eventually you’ll recognize what you like most. Lean into delusion because the best artists are always a little insane. You will likely feel things more deeply than others. Don’t be afraid of that, it’s a gift. Most importantly, it is far more important to create than to create something you deem as good. Don’t stop doing what you love just because it doesn’t look exactly how you imagined. As all artists say, trust the process. Both for your art and yourself.
Breanna Gillan's Hierarchy, available at Rainy Days Gallery
Come visit Rainy Days Gallery in RiNO to see Breanna's one-of-a-kind works of art!