An Interview With Brandi Budziak,
Winner of the Jumpin Jazz Wine Label Art Contest - 2007

MaryEllen: Are you an artist by trade?
Brandi: I am a graphic designer by trade and a fine artist on the side, but I aspire to be a full-time artist or illustrator someday.

MaryEllen: Where and/or how did you develop your drawing skills?
Brandi: I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember. Growing up I was often sick with asthma, and when I wasn’t able to go outside and play with the other kids, I would stay inside and draw… I had a lot of practice time! When I was nine years old, my mother thought I was skilled enough to be sent to an illustrator that she knew for some formal training in order to hone my drawing abilities. Aside from that, I’m pretty much self-taught.

MaryEllen: How did you hear about our wine label art contest?
Brandi: I actually heard about it through the grapevine - ha! The person who told me about it had heard about the contest from someone else, and I just looked up “Glorie Farm Winery” online to get the information.

MaryEllen: Have you participated in art contests before?
Brandi: I haven’t actually participated in an art contest since I was a kid.

MaryEllen: What made you decide to participate in this contest?
Brandi: I was motivated to enter the contest for a couple different reasons. I had always wanted to do a wine label. In fact, I usually find myself distracted by label illustration and design anytime I go to buy a bottle of wine, even if I already know what I’m looking for. I also love jazz and animals, so both the theme and the cause seemed to fit me perfectly… aside from the fact that it sounded like fun.

MaryEllen: Please tell us about your winning artwork and the inspiration behind it.
Brandi: I’ll start off by saying that I had the perfect muse. My boyfriend and I had been caring for this amazing rescue bunny that we had brought into our home. We affectionately called him Brown, after his beautiful dark, brindle-brown coat and later called him James Brown because he loved to dance, so to speak, especially in the moonlight. This bunny had just appeared one day, seeking refuge in the barn with our chickens. We noticed he had an eye infection and some other symptoms that needed attention. Since we were renting and weren’t really allowed to have a house pet and winter was well on its way, we started looking for some kind of assistance in finding a home or source of care for Brown. It was then that we encountered first-hand just how desperate the situation is out there for abandoned and abused animals. There are so many great people doing what they can to help, but it’s staggering to see how much more help is needed. Needless to say, we wound up taking Brown into our home, and when I painted the rabbit dancing in the moonlight, it was inspired by that special little bunny with a really big spirit.

MaryEllen: Do you enjoy wine? If so, what kinds?
Brandi: Yes, I do enjoy wine - different varietals depending on my mood. In the summer, I generally like a nice, crisp white or a cool perseco. Lately, however, I’ve been enjoying a shiraz or cabernet sauvignon with some of the food we’ve been cooking on the grill. And in the winter, it’s always nice to warm up while sipping a glass of tawny port.

MaryEllen: Please tell us a little (or a lot) about yourself.
Brandi: I grew up in a tiny town in Pennsylvania nestled in a valley between two rivers. I am an only child, with the exception, of course, of my furry four-legged siblings who, believe me, always considered themselves as such. In the late 80’s, we moved to the Hudson Valley, where I was inspired not only by the beautiful geography but by all of the cultural opportunities that it had to offer. I quickly latched onto the art scene with plenty of support from my parents, selling my first paintings at age twelve. I ultimately wound up focusing more on my academics than my art, never abandoning it as a passion, but applying my creativity in other ways. I initially went to school for architecture which I still love, but found myself gravitating more toward graphic design which is the field that I got my degree in. I have always had a tremendous affinity for books and artfully printed materials and have accumulated a substantial personal library over the years, so I also often think about moving more in the direction of book design or publishing. I’m actually not sure where my life will take me, but I think that reinventing yourself and exploring different things is the key to a colorful and happy life.