The work behind the work

 

I’m Brendalee Astells, an abstract artist working with colour, marks, and words, based on Vancouver Island, creating work that’s bold, just irreverent enough, and rooted in colour, curiosity, and play.

 

My work lives between expressive mark-making and honest words—sometimes quiet and reflective, sometimes a little sweary, often both at once. It’s made for people who appreciate beauty but don’t take everything too seriously.

 

At the core of what I do is a simple belief: creativity connects us—to ourselves, to each other, and to something a little bigger.

 

My hope is that my work offers small moments of recognition, humour, or pause… the kind you didn’t know you needed until you felt it.

 

I work both digitally and by hand, often moving between the two. Ink, watercolour, and loose line work show up again and again, alongside hand-lettered pieces that have become a signature part of my practice.

 

My artwork is available for licensing and collaborations, with a growing focus on greeting cards and paper goods—places where art gets to live in everyday life.