Brigitte Peel: From Realism to Creative Exploration
- Glenda Brown
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Background and Early Passion
Brigitte Peel may not have followed a traditional path into the art world, but her passion for creativity has been with her since childhood. She remembers a teacher praising her neat colouring when she was young - an offhand comment that left a lasting mark. By her final year of school, she was studying five art subjects, but life led her overseas to Australia, the UK, and Canada before she eventually settled in Airlie Beach 18 years ago.
Artistic Style and Influences
Brigitte describes her style as rooted in realism, a natural fit for her perfectionist tendencies. Recently, though, she’s been exploring more surreal elements in her work. She credits Tennessee Charpentier - Visionary Art by Messiah - as a major influence, admiring the dreamlike depth and atmosphere in her pieces.
The Creative Process
When it comes to creating, Brigitte often begins with reference images, working toward photo-like replication. For original concepts, she turns to Pinterest for inspiration and uses Canva or Photoshop to experiment with layouts before sketching or tracing the image onto her surface.
Her painting process varies by medium: for acrylics, she starts with a monotone underpainting in raw umber and white before layering colour. For charcoal, she blocks in the darkest areas, then uses brushes to move the dust around the paper, creating depth and shadow before pulling out highlights with an eraser.
A full belly, a cup of tea, and either music or an audiobook set the scene for her best work. Finding uninterrupted time between running a business and raising her family remains her biggest challenge.
Favorite Mediums and New Experiments
Charcoal remains Brigitte’s first love, especially for its elegance and striking contrasts in monochrome work. She also enjoys watercolours and soft pastels, using them to add depth and softness to detailed pencil drawings.
Recently, she’s started experimenting with oils, noting the slower drying time requires a completely different approach than the fast-paced layering of acrylics. Texture excites her as well, and she’s eager to try more with palette knives, molding paste, and even spray paint.
Milestones and Evolution
Opening her own studio marked a turning point in Brigitte’s journey. Rebranding to Sunbird Studios & Co allowed her to build a collaborative creative hub while also focusing on her own original work.
She began with commission pieces to grow her portfolio, but her goal has always been to create art that resonates on a personal level. “I feel I’m reaching that point now,” she says, reflecting on her shift toward passion-driven projects.
Inspiration and Motivation
Nature - and especially the ocean - continues to be Brigitte’s biggest source of inspiration. She loves how creativity can reach beyond everyday life, whether it’s through teaching, sharing her own work, or experiencing art in all its forms.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Brigitte is proud of her recent successes, including two awards at the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition for her piece Unity Comes from the Moon and the Sea. She was also a finalist for two works at The Doyles Art Award in Mudgeeraba, selling her piece Arrhythmia there as well.
Some moments stay with her. At The Doyles, a woman told her how deeply a painting resonated because it reminded her of sailing at Airlie Beach Race Week. At the GBRF Exhibition, another visitor admitted her piece brought them to tears. Both encounters affirmed the emotional connection her work can create.
Challenges and Growth
Like many artists, Brigitte’s biggest challenge is time—balancing creativity with the demands of life and the uncertainty of funding opportunities. She finds motivation through collaboration and welcomes constructive feedback, even while recognising that art is subjective. “Not everyone will like what you create,” she says. “They’re not supposed to.”
Connecting with the Audience
Brigitte hopes her art sparks personal memories or emotions in viewers. Sometimes it’s about a portrait’s twinkle in the eye; other times it’s the texture of painted brickwork that transports someone to another place entirely.
Future Plans and Upcoming Projects
Brigitte’s vision for Sunbird Studios & Co is to make it a creative hub offering everything from kids’ classes to sewing workshops and mindfulness sessions. She hopes to expand one day and welcomes other artists interested in teaching or collaborating.
In the coming months, she’ll illustrate two more children’s books featuring Louie the Moo, an orphaned cow with stories of courage and resilience. She’s also preparing to release a set of Oracle Tea Cards filled with positive messages and will complete a large charcoal piece live at a wedding as part of her new event painting service.
“There’s certainly never a dull moment,” she says.
Advice for Aspiring Artists
Brigitte’s advice is simple: say yes. “Yes to commissions, yes to workshops, yes to trying new things - and yes to yourself.” She encourages artists to keep experimenting, practicing, and seeking opportunities.
Her final piece of wisdom? “It’s ok to colour outside the lines. Trust the process. Every painting goes through an icky stage - persevere. You’ve got this.”
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