Brettionism: A Kilkenny-based artist with a style of her own

After a sellout stint at the hugely popular Yulefest local artist, Jean Brett, is looking forward to the year ahead.
Having tapped into her talent for painting in recent years Jean is going from strength to strength in creating and developing a unique style of artwork, which she refers to as Brettionism - a play on words of her name and the 19th century art movement.
Painting is in her blood and she is following in the footsteps of her Mum, Sally and aunt Anne Cantwell who both also loved to paint.
“My Mum is an artist and when my aunt, Anne Cantwell passed away a number of years ago there were lots of paints left and Mum gave me some,” she said.
Having studied art at school Jean always enjoyed a bit of painting but it is only in recent times she has focused on it full time.
“I use acrylic paints and my work is very textured and tactile. I like the painting to stand off the canvas and I use modelling paste to give that effect,” she said.
Jean has developed her own method of putting paint on canvas and uses different implements to create her work including palette knives, toothbrushes, scrubs, spatulas and ‘uses a brush the odd time’.
“I do a bit of everything from landscapes to abstract. I was working in the Art and Hobby Shop in the Market Cross until before Christmas and that inspired me,” she said having made the brave move at the start of this year to work full time on her art.
“I was out of work for a while during lockdown and I used that time to paint and post more of my work on social media and that helped and I started to get commissions. Yulefest was very successful. I applied and got a place beside my good friend, Sandra Ryan who set up an eco boutique. I did a lot better than I hoped and as well as my paintings I also sold greeting cards and prints.
“Since January I have been focusing on art professionally. I said to myself life is short, why not give it a go and what’s the worst that can happen. I am going to apply to do the Saturday markets at the Parade and I am also planning an exhibition and am available for commissions. I really enjoyed Yulefest. Marian Flannery and her team did a great job and I loved chatting with customers and meeting people.”
A creative soul Jean also writes poetry and is hoping to publish an anthology of her work.
“I have been writing poetry forever. I am always tipping away at it. Sometimes an idea comes out of nowhere and I have to write it down very quickly. I write about everything and anything,” she said adding that she hopes to publish an anthology of her work in the future. “For more contact jeanbrettkk@gmail.com