#118 CHRIS BRANDELL
In this Inspiration Interview, Coach Nadine Johnson sits down with Marco Island-based painter Chris Brandell, whose quiet, intuitive work explores love in all its forms, spiritual, romantic, platonic, and self-directed. Chris shares how drawing and mark-making anchor her process, from intimate works on paper to larger, meditative canvases. She offers a generous look inside her studio, her evolving relationship with intuition, and what it means to build a body of work rooted in truth. A fellow CVP alum, her perspective will resonate with artists at every stage. It’s a heartfelt conversation about creativity, trust, and always returning to what you love.
Jump to a section:
Click the chapter icon (the bulleted list inside the video player) to see and select any part of the video.
Chapters and timestamps are also listed below for quick reference.
Click here to download the transcript
Click here to download the PDF
Thank you both for an inspiring discussion about abstract art and the permission to keep going wherever you are in the process. I loved it!
So happy to have watched this today. Chris is very inspiring and, turns out, my neighbor!! I live in Naples, just over the causeway from Marco! Thanks for the great interview!
Such a great interview! Thank you Chris and Nadine! This is exactly what I needed to hear, at this very moment in time. I’ll just keep going, for sure! Much appreciated! 🩷
This was an absolute joy to watch! Thank you, Chris, for sharing your processes and creative path! Hearing you share your journey of daily inspiration with Nadine was a gentile reminder for all of us about listening to our own passions and to take the risk to reveal ourselves in our work. Beautiful paintings and thought provoking titles! Wishing you continued success and all the best! Many thanks to you both!
Wow! Chris has been one of my fav artists for years, and one of the voices I´ve had in my ears whispering «just allow yourself to create subtlety and spaciousness when that´s what you love.» At 26.47 in the video, where she refers to the guy fixing her cooler, she says in a secondary sentence ..»…I´m sad that he´s not figured out how to have time for it (Painting)…» Thank you, Chris. I´ll take my responsability!!
Wonderful!😍. Such a great interview, Nadine. I love Chris’ work.
It’s me, Melinda Casterline 😄 not anonymous!
Thank you Nadine and Chris! Very insightful and inspiring – it’s made me think of my relationship to my work and the inspiration that I have but forget to do something with!
Oh my gosh! Thank you, Nadine and Chris Brandell for an excellent deep dive into unique and thrilling art. I live up the state in the Tampa Bay area and will definitely look into further connecting with Chris.
The work Is beyond lovely And worth a closer look. I certainly was reminded about her connection with both the Inspiration and Desire boards and the spiritual nature of her life, perhaps one might say ~the best life! I am searching, and I feel so moved by this work I’m trying to think of the right words, but just knowing that I am moved may be enough for CHRIS. I certainly will go look at her profile, website , Instagram, galleries plus anywhere else I can dig deeper. I’m certain it will be an excellent use of time. Thanks again to both of you.
What a great interview. Chris Brandell is painting/speaking her story and joy. I feel inspired by this interview Nadine. What a different way to see the loud and quiet conversations Nick teaches about. That concept is very unique in this artist’s world.
Thank you Nadine and Chris for this amazing conversation. I felt very aligned with Chris especially as she talking about her frustration in the years before she found her true artistic voice. I’m going through this right now and it’s really a slog but I’m not giving up. Chris you are inspiring. And Nadine, I always love to hear you and watch your presentations. You have made a real difference in my artistic journey.