The Artist
Brandy Gibbs-Riley is a Boston-based artist and designer. Her collection of custom, made-to-order luxury décor and textiles is based on her original abstract paintings, mixed media collages, and geometric compositions. Her unique patterns are designed by hand then digitally adapted for print. Process-driven, she layers paint, ink, paper, and acetate to create the illusion of shallow depth, transparency, shadow, and light. Melding traditional fine art practices with experimental techniques, Brandy’s work is both timely and timeless. In her art, both personal and commercial, she explores the spectrum (and tension) between minimalist forms and decorative excess.
A former professor of graphic design and design history, she finds inspiration in a wide range of sources, including 20th Century Modernism and historical ornament. The visual narrative of other cultures is particularly important to her, and she has taught and studied design throughout Europe, Australia, and the Pacific. Born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, the city’s 18th century Moravian architecture, Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, and the graphic nature of now-defunct steel mills have also influenced her work. But perhaps most influential of all are the colors of the mountains and coastal regions of New England, where she has lived for over 25 years.
Brandy’s work has been featured online at Better Homes & Gardens, Elle Décor, Rachel Ray, and Real Simple, and has also appeared in brick-and-mortar locations, including Boston area West Elm stores and galleries throughout New England. Now available to the trade, she is able to offer custom colors, sizes, and scale on a variety of substrates. Her designs liven up any space, making rooms memorable and remarkable. For collaborations or commissions, please email brandy@brandygibbsriley.com.