Meet Brie Milam | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brie Milam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brie, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Never give up on your goals, but be willing to change your methods. Perseverance and adaptability are the keys to success in any business. As an artist, I’ve learned that the artist’s path is filled with plenty of setbacks, rejection, and failures, and the only way to succeed is to keep persevering, learn from you mistakes, and continuously improve. Likewise, in today’s rapidly changing world and economy, you must be able and willing to adapt to new consumer trends, platforms, and global events.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a watercolor and abstract artist working from my home studio, “The Treehouse,” in Dallas, TX. My work is filled with expressive and minimalist abstract pieces, illustrations, and artwork inspired by nature. My work tends to center on mindfulness, empowerment, and mental health — mainly because these subjects were so important in my journey to becoming an artist.

A large part of my work is teaching creative workshops where students learn new art techniques and discover the power of art-making as a form of self-care. During the pandemic I started teaching virtual watercolor workshops and sending watercolor kits to students through the mail. This became a hugely successful part of business and really showed me how much I love empowering others and equipping them with the skills to incorporate the mindful activity of painting into their lives.

The full story about my journey from corporate employee to full-time artist is on my website at briemilam.com/about. I think a lot of people can relate to the feeling of being “stuck” or “trapped” that I went through, which is why I love being able to empower others to take big creative leaps in their lives! Whether it’s through my art, my workshops, or my social media, my goal is always to connect with and inspire others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a Dallas native, I’ve got lots of spots all over the city that I love. Dallas is such a vibrant and growing city with a huge passion for the arts, so I would absolutely have to put a few art museums on the list. My favorites are the Dallas Contemporary, the DMA, and the Nasher Sculpture Center. If you’re willing to take a short drive, then I’d also suggest the Modern and the Kimbell in Fort Worth.

When it comes to food, I have an endless list of favorites, but if I had to narrow it down… Boulangerie on Lower Greenville is my go to spot for a quick coffee and pastry. Smoky Rose and The Rustic have the best patio brunches. Taquero is my regular haunt for authentic (and affordable) Mexican food. For dinner, it would either be Teppo (sushi) or Eno’s Pizza. The Bishops Arts is where I go for a good bar crawl, including stops at Botanist, La Reunion, and Revelers Hall.

Since I’m a Lakewood resident (and a nature lover), I’d have to include a walk around White Rock Lake and a picnic at Winfrey Point. If we had time, I’d definitely also go for a hike at Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve.

And if you’re a flora lover like me, no trip to Dallas would be complete without a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I can say with complete confidence that therapy was the biggest catalyst in my transformation from 9-to-5 corporate employee to work-from-home artist. It was in therapy that I was able to recognize the limiting beliefs that were holding me back and realize that my success was entirely within my own control. These “aha” moments unlocked my confidence and allowed me to move forward in the right direction.

Website: briemilam.com

Instagram: @briemilam

Facebook: facebook.com/briemilam