Painting Positivity in the Midst of a Pandemic
♥
Written by: Melody Lipford
Brice Quilllen Hoffman works with female students to help empower them and provide them with tools for success. She helps them gain invaluable exposure to career training programs in preparation for the next step in their educational and professional journeys. She also assists them in obtaining access to living spaces, food, and activities along the way.
Although the pandemic has brought many challenges, Brice has utilized this time to not only be inspiring and ultra productive, but to also provide a beautiful and uplifting environment for her students.
Learn more in our interview with Brice about her path to art and her wall mural painting project that brought positivity to her community during the pandemic.
Pictured above: Brice
An Interview with Mural Artist, Brice Quillen
Melody: What first got you interested in art?
Brice: I’ve had a passion for art for as long as I can remember. However, I think my interest in art really peaked when I began studying surrealism. Surrealism is my favorite style because it brings an impossible twist to real-world imagery.
Melody: What are your favorite art forms?
Brice: My favorite artistic medium is watercolor, but I am working hard to improve my dexterity in acrylic painting.
Melody: Where did you get the idea to paint at work?
Brice: In March, we sent our students home as a COVID-19 precaution.
With no students, I could no longer perform my job duties as normal. Despite this inability, my co-workers and I were determined to utilize this unusual time to improve the center for our students. We started by painting classroom walls and dorms, but I wanted to do more to make the center a welcoming creative space. After completing my first mural at the center, other departments took notice and wanted art to cover the walls in their areas too!
Melody: Can you describe each of the murals you’ve completed?
Brice: The first mural was an eight foot tall rainbow. Students frequent the office it’s located in constantly because it is located near the dorm rooms. Although the mural is simplistic, it brightens the space and creates a unique feel for students and staff to appreciate.
The second mural I completed was of the Chicago skyline. I wanted students to feel a bit of home since most of them come from large cities. Moving to a small rural town in Southwest Virginia is a drastic change from the surroundings they are accustomed to.
My third mural was created for the salon. Many students enjoy styling their own hair or doing hair for their friends, so we created a dedicated salon space for them. This mural is by far the largest one at 8×11 feet, and itt took over 20 hours to complete. It offers a beautiful centerpiece to an area that is central for our students. It also looks great in the reflection of the salon mirror, so students can even enjoy it as they are getting their hair done.
My last mural is a focal point in our recreational area. Students come here to relax, play games, and hang out after class. Students can also often be found taking pictures as they wait to go on trips or meet with other centers for socials. For this reason, I decided that an interactive mural would be perfect for student photo-options. The large wings are positioned so students can pose in front of them for an angelic style photo. And above the mural an inspiring quote.
This small poignant phrase is a reminder for our students to persevere. The center supports low-income young adults and most of the females are burdened with the hardships of life. My team is passionate about the work we are doing to support this student demographic. We want to ensure each student is provided an opportunity to soar.
Melody: How have the students and your coworkers reacted to the murals?
Brice: Art can truly transform a space.
I have been amazed by the feedback I’ve received from both staff and students. My co-workers love how it brightens up their working space.
Students say the murals feel like a comfortable area to learn, grow, and pursue their goals.
Melody: What do you hope will be the lasting impact on your students through your paintings?
Brice: I hope thousands of students continue to see the murals throughout the years.
I hope they continue to welcome new students and provide stability to those throughout their time with us. I hope my murals bring smiles to faces and grace the backdrops of their photos, social media posts, and memories that students make during their educational career.
Melody: What advice would you give to a new artist?
Brice: My best advice for someone interested in pursuing art is to be patient.
Too often we find ourselves rushing through every aspect of life because of our fast-paced society.
Art can’t be rushed. Art takes time.
Not only does it take time to complete one piece of art, it takes time to develop certain artistic skills, learn new mediums, and find inspiration.
Your first piece or two may not be masterpieces, I know mine sure weren’t, but if you are persistent and continue to create you will amaze yourself with just how much is possible.
We want to thank Brice for sharing her story with our Home of Passion readers! And we can’t wait to see what you create next!
Painting Positivity in the Midst of a Pandemic
♥
by: Melody Lipford
Brice Quilllen Hoffman works with female students to help empower them and provide them with tools for success. She helps them gain invaluable exposure to career training programs in preparation for the next step in their educational and professional journeys. She also assists them in obtaining access to living spaces, food, and activities along the way.
Although the pandemic has brought many challenges, Brice has utilized this time to not only be inspiring and ultra productive, but to also provide a beautiful and uplifting environment for her students.
Learn more in our interview with Brice about her path to art and her wall mural painting project that brought positivity to her community during the pandemic.
Pictured above: Brice
An Interview with Mural Artist, Brice Quillen
Melody: What first got you interested in art?
Brice: I’ve had a passion for art for as long as I can remember. However, I think my interest in art really peaked when I began studying surrealism. Surrealism is my favorite style because it brings an impossible twist to real-world imagery.
Melody: What are your favorite art forms?
Brice: My favorite artistic medium is watercolor, but I am working hard to improve my dexterity in acrylic painting.
Melody: Where did you get the idea to paint at work?
Brice: In March, we sent our students home as a COVID-19 precaution.
With no students, I could no longer perform my job duties as normal. Despite this inability, my co-workers and I were determined to utilize this unusual time to improve the center for our students. We started by painting classroom walls and dorms, but I wanted to do more to make the center a welcoming creative space. After completing my first mural at the center, other departments took notice and wanted art to cover the walls in their areas too!
Melody: Can you describe each of the murals you’ve completed?
Brice: The first mural was an eight foot tall rainbow. Students frequent the office it’s located in constantly because it is located near the dorm rooms. Although the mural is simplistic, it brightens the space and creates a unique feel for students and staff to appreciate.
The second mural I completed was of the Chicago skyline. I wanted students to feel a bit of home since most of them come from large cities. Moving to a small rural town in Southwest Virginia is a drastic change from the surroundings they are accustomed to.
My third mural was created for the salon. Many students enjoy styling their own hair or doing hair for their friends, so we created a dedicated salon space for them. This mural is by far the largest one at 8×11 feet, and itt took over 20 hours to complete. It offers a beautiful centerpiece to an area that is central for our students. It also looks great in the reflection of the salon mirror, so students can even enjoy it as they are getting their hair done.
My last mural is a focal point in our recreational area. Students come here to relax, play games, and hang out after class. Students can also often be found taking pictures as they wait to go on trips or meet with other centers for socials. For this reason, I decided that an interactive mural would be perfect for student photo-options. The large wings are positioned so students can pose in front of them for an angelic style photo. And above the mural an inspiring quote.
This small poignant phrase is a reminder for our students to persevere. The center supports low-income young adults and most of the females are burdened with the hardships of life. My team is passionate about the work we are doing to support this student demographic. We want to ensure each student is provided an opportunity to soar.
Melody: How have the students and your coworkers reacted to the murals?
Brice: Art can truly transform a space.
I have been amazed by the feedback I’ve received from both staff and students. My co-workers love how it brightens up their working space.
Students say the murals feel like a comfortable area to learn, grow, and pursue their goals.
Melody: What do you hope will be the lasting impact on your students through your paintings?
Brice: I hope thousands of students continue to see the murals throughout the years.
I hope they continue to welcome new students and provide stability to those throughout their time with us. I hope my murals bring smiles to faces and grace the backdrops of their photos, social media posts, and memories that students make during their educational career.
Melody: What advice would you give to a new artist?
Brice: My best advice for someone interested in pursuing art is to be patient.
Too often we find ourselves rushing through every aspect of life because of our fast-paced society.
Art can’t be rushed. Art takes time.
Not only does it take time to complete one piece of art, it takes time to develop certain artistic skills, learn new mediums, and find inspiration.
Your first piece or two may not be masterpieces, I know mine sure weren’t, but if you are persistent and continue to create you will amaze yourself with just how much is possible.
We want to thank Brice for sharing her story with our Home of Passion readers! And we can’t wait to see what you create next!
About author: Melody lipford
I grew up in the United States, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains. I grew up with humble beginnings and always strived to be the first one in my family to graduate college. As a recent college graduate of Emory & Henry College, it is safe to say I achieved that goal.
However, my adolescence and college years were not free of anxiety and depression that comes not only with that goal, but also were mental illnesses I had suffered from since childhood. Through it all, I have learned self-care and have strived to use my love of writing to break the stigmas that encompass such a common subject such as mental health.
I look forward to doing this at Home of Passion and invite readers to start this discussion in their own lives. Let’s end the stigma together.
About author: Melody Lipford
I grew up in the United States, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains. I grew up with humble beginnings and always strived to be the first one in my family to graduate college. As a recent college graduate of Emory & Henry College, it is safe to say I achieved that goal.
However, my adolescence and college years were not free of anxiety and depression that comes not only with that goal, but also were mental illnesses I had suffered from since childhood. Through it all, I have learned self-care and have strived to use my love of writing to break the stigmas that encompass such a common subject such as mental health.
I look forward to doing this at Home of Passion and invite readers to start this discussion in their own lives. Let’s end the stigma together.
