Lydia Jane Brown is a Maine native artist. She has lived in the Portland area since 2008 when she moved from Aroostook County to study art at USM.  Initially focused on realism, art school opened her up to the possibilities of abstract art and new means of expression. Her current work includes acrylic painting on canvas, murals, digital animation and design, and a more recent exploration into fiber art. For her, it’s all about the joy in the process of making and how the finished product reflects that joy.

Her style depends strongly on her relationship with the medium. Her painting style is fluid and non-representational. Decisions are made intuitively, letting each brush stroke affect the next, allowing the work to grow and morph organically until the balance of shape and color feels harmonious. When working in digital media she explores the use of layers and masking techniques to manipulate shapes in dynamic ways to achieve designs of elegant complexity.

Under the moniker: October Wilde, Lydia explores the blurred lines between artist as self and business and what it means to be both in the modern world. In an age of personal brands and social media promotion, she feels a subtle shift of identity can keep the self and the business in balance.