My Story

Brigette Banks-Lee is a fine artist and educator based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her passion lies in the creative process and in bringing vibrant scenes to life through oil painting.

Her artistic journey includes studies at Virginia State University and The Art Institute of Philadelphia, along with further artistic exploration in inspiring locations such as St. Thomas, Paris, France, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Most recently, she has continued her development through coursework with the Milan Art Institute.

The Impressionist masters Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec have deeply influenced her work, particularly in her emphasis on capturing light and expressive color.

Although she has explored a wide range of mediums, oil painting has emerged as her true calling. This medium allows her to express a unique perspective shaped by years of education, travel, and experience.

Her chosen subjects celebrate the beauty of childhood, the grace of flowers, and the playfulness of animals—particularly cats and birds—all infused with a sense of abstract impressionism.

Her process is rooted in techniques inspired by the Old Masters. She begins with a darkened canvas, carefully subtracting values to create depth and luminosity. She then builds the painting from cool tones to warm, finishing with highlights that bring the composition to life.

The result is a collection of paintings that radiate warmth, movement, and vitality.

She invites viewers to explore her art and experience the joy that fuels her creative journey