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Bridget Tremblay's work is deeply personal and emotional, focusing on the human figure in unconventional ways to express raw emotion. Traditionally, she created oil paintings of the female figure, each conveying a different emotion. However, after becoming a mother at the age of 40, Bridget's artistic focus shifted. She began creating pencil drawings that depict unique female representations, inspired by the myriad roles, standards, and responsibilities placed exclusively on women. This new series, titled "Warrior Women," explores the expectations that women face to be everything to everybody.
Bridget's black-and-white drawings of "Warrior Women" embody power, emotion, and strength. Her goal is for any woman who gazes upon these works to feel seen, powerful, and proud to be a woman. Living in Ontario, Canada, Bridget balances her roles as a mother, an artist, and a Teacher of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Through her art, she hopes to inspire and empower women everywhere.
Bridget, your work is known for its deeply personal and emotional nature. Can you share how your own experiences and emotions influence your creative process and the themes you choose to explore in your art?
I often have a difficult time expressing myself verbally, and so I started expressing myself through my art. I often start a painting with an emotion or feeling that I want to get across, choose the colours and the pose of the body that I think best express the emotion and go from there. I have a tendency to start a painting and keep working on it straight through until it is finished (when possible) so that way I don’t lose the feeling or emotion that I am trying to get across. I can truly say, that when I create a painting, I am leaving a piece of myself on the canvas. When you look at one of my pieces, you are seeing my thoughts and emotions on the canvas.
You initially created oil paintings of the female figure, each conveying a different emotion. Recently, you have shifted to pencil drawings. What prompted this transition, and how has working with pencil drawings changed the way you express emotion and themes in your work?
When I was in my early 30’s my husband and I were told that we wouldn’t be able to have children, we were heartbroken. Then, all of a sudden, I was 39 and we found out that I was pregnant, it was a truly joyous time. After I had my son, I moved from painting to pencil drawings, simply because I suddenly didn’t have the time to set up and complete a painting, but I would have a few minutes here and there to scribble with a pencil. I remember being so exhausted after giving birth, and recovering from a C-Section, while caring for a newborn, and thinking to myself that I may never have the time or energy to paint or draw again. I thought my time as an artist was done, but then my “Warrior Women” series was born, and I wouldn’t have been able to create them, without experiencing the birth of my son.
When I paint, I use colour a lot to get my emotions across, but when I am using only a pencil, I try to get across the themes and emotions in my art through the figure itself. I often use powerful poses and strong thick, bold lines in my drawings to get my ideas across to the viewer.
Becoming a new mother at the age of 40 has had a significant impact on your art. Can you discuss how motherhood has influenced your perspective and inspired your new series 'Warrior Women,' and what specific experiences as a new mother are reflected in these drawings?
I had a difficult birth that ended up resulting in a C-Section. It took me quite some time to recover afterwards and during that time I talked and confided in some of my friends that also had difficult births. Hearing their stories, and the things that they went through, while still ‘showing up’ for their children and their families everyday caused me to start to focus and think about the women in my life and the women around me.
I honestly look around at the women in my life, and think, ‘we are all of us warriors’.
Your new series 'Warrior Women' explores the different roles, standards, and responsibilities placed exclusively on women. Can you tell us more about the concept behind this series and how you hope it will resonate with and empower your audience?
Women have to deal with so many things in life, all while they continue to ‘show up’ and carry on. Women have to deal with difficulties getting pregnant, as well as being asked ‘What’s wrong with them?’ if they choose not to have children. Women give birth, somehow bounce back and care for their children and their families. A lot of women also have full time careers as well as caring for their families, and they somehow give 100% to everything they are doing all of the time.
I hope that any woman who views my ‘Warrior Women’ series, feels strength and power and that they feel proud to be a woman.
You have an upcoming event in Toronto called RAW where you will be showcasing some of your art. Can you share more about this event, what you plan to present, and any future projects or themes you are excited to explore in your work?
I will be showing some of my art in Toronto, September 28th, 2024, at RAW.
RAW is a live event that features hand selected independent artists in all creative genres. I am so thrilled and honoured to have been asked to attend and show my art this year
alongside so many other talented artists.
More information about RAW can be found here: RAWartists.com
At this event I will be presenting my “Warrior Women” series, as well as some of my older oil paintings created during the pandemic, which feature raw emotions through body poses and colour. I may also be showing a few of the new pieces that I am working on.
My plans for future projects and pieces include bright bold colours and experimenting with repeating patterns.
More info:
Website: https://brigidtee.ca
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