Breda Stack — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Breda Stack of Lightbridge Art is an Irish artist creating vibrant, soulful abstract artwork. As well as her original acrylic on canvas paintings, she produces a selection of limited-edition giclée prints of her work.
Breda is mainly self-taught. Although she hadn’t painted in over twenty years, she found herself continually looking at Impressionist art and imagining a paintbrush in her hand. She finally took the hint and returned to art in 2018. With a varied professional background including media and IT, since 2010 Breda has been training, coaching, writing and speaking through her innovative “Declutter Therapy” modality that teaches people how to “LET IT GO”. Practising Reiki has been particularly influential on Breda’s energy-based approach to art. She channels “soul vision” messages through her paintings, awakening a part of the viewer that had lain dormant – a thought, an emotion, an image, a memory, a dream. Her paintings are also used as a healing tool by holistic therapists. Breda is passionate about innate, authentic self-expression that’s beyond rigidity, rules and restrictions. In the short time since she began sharing her artwork with the world, many of Breda’s paintings have been awarded and featured in international art competitions and juried exhibitions.

Artist Statement

I don’t set out with a concept or work to any formal painting process. I see the main colours and the energy of the piece in my mind’s eye and I give my hand the freedom it wants. Listening to music that moves me, I layer paint onto the canvas, blending and highlighting using different brush types, sizes and strokes.
Each painting goes through a number of iterations. Continually engaging with the piece as it sits on the easel, I come and go from the canvas over weeks or months to honour what needs to emerge, and I “feel it” when the painting is finished. I hold no expectations for the end result. Yet each completed piece painting reflects part of me that I often can’t put words but know and understand intimately. I love how revealing and magical that abstract art is for both the artist and the viewer. Art is a powerful healing tool and I’m inspired to create “soul vision” messages that offer healing and joy. As a Reiki Master, I find the ability to express through energy and colour very evocative. Painting makes me connected and free in a way that nothing else does.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I was artistic as a child, winning art competitions and painting, knitting and sewing, and I studied Art for my National State Exams in my late teens. I remember being a big fan of French Impressionist art at that time, especially Renoir and Monet – it always made me feel something deep. Art had been off my conscious radar for decades until in 2018, as a Reiki practitioner, I found myself continually moving energy around with my right hand (it was only afterwards I released I had been “painting the air”!) and getting emotional over Impressionist art all over again. So, I returned to art after 23 years by enrolling in art class! I didn’t even own a paintbrush so in many ways, I was starting from scratch. I quickly found my niche in the abstract style and people were really resonating with what I was creating, which was really exciting and humbling. Being self-employed in my “Declutter Therapy” training modality since 2010 after a career in software IT, I never imagined becoming an artist in this lifetime, and the journey has been fast-moving and magical!

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

A contemporary, abstract artist who conveys energy through the medium of paint - simply and freely expressing what I feel and intuit outside of any rules, regulations or restrictions.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

My wish is to share my “soul visions” – artwork that communicates “light codes” or energetic downloads that activate or awaken hidden thoughts or feelings or memories for each individual person. Where the aesthetics of my artwork create joy, its soul messages facilitate healing.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

I don’t set out with a concept or work to any formal painting process. I see the main colours and the energy of the piece in my mind’s eye and I give my hand the freedom it wants. Listening to music that moves me, I layer paint onto the canvas, blending and highlighting using different brush types, sizes and strokes.

Each painting goes through a number of iterations. Continually engaging with the piece as it sits on the easel, I come and go from the canvas over weeks or months to honour what needs to emerge, and I “feel it” when the painting is finished. I hold no expectations for the end result. Yet each completed piece of painting reflects part of me that I often can’t put words but know and understand intimately.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

I tend to hit a point when I’m painting where I find myself in complete awe and appreciation of the beauty of the paint colours and their flow and integration on the canvas before me. At that very same time, I feel overwhelmed by freedom, bliss and a sense of “connection” to all that is. That’s the sweet spot for me!

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I’ve been fortunate to have been featured in many international art competitions and shows in the time since I returned to painting, and this participation is always something I enjoy. I also just recently showcased my work in the KROMATICART live digital art exhibition in M.A.D.S. Gallery Milan, which was a wonderful and unique experience. I’m always weighing up different art ventures and opportunities and I'm currently focused on expanding, showcasing and sharing my collection of original artwork and limited-edition giclée prints. I'm increasingly drawn to communities where art and spirituality go hand in hand and this is where I see my future. As I continue to love “painting energy” in bright and beautiful colours, I’m very excited about the road ahead!

Website https://lightbridgeart.com

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