“Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings” -. Agnes Martin. Art is helping A.J. Brown to express her inner voice which speaks to the viewers and also serves as a way for them to respond. She is a self-taught artist and her brilliant work is done in a various medium like watercolor, ink and other. A.J.’s work has been exhibited in several galleries including the CityScape Art Space, the Artists Helping Artists in Burnaby, the Harmony Arts Festival, and the RoundHouse Community Centre to name a few. She has also won awards for academic study and for music composition. A.J. has also published a book that was written and illustrated by herself.

How has art helped you to explore your emotions? How do you usually pick subjects for your work?A: Art is a coping mechanism for me with stress. I have a family member who is a substance abuser and art is my life saver.
choosing a subject for my artwork... I start with where my heart is: I lived with two gorgeous cats who really helped me with that family member. so I choose to draw and paint cats. But I go to Emily Carr university to improve my art skill. I have to follow what they say to draw or paint; usually that is abstract art, or drawing from a model.

You have been a writer, poet, actress, dancer, music composer, and a musician. How have each of these roles helped you to become more creative?A: I think each of these has been a stepping stone to lead me to new approaches to creativity. There are so many ways to be creative! baking, woodworking, making soup, knitting, anything that needs using the hands to make something.

What is your favorite art creation so far and why?A: I have many that are favourites. But the circles cat is one precious art creation. this is partly because it was the last artwork I did when my recent cat, Rumbles was living. Here is my documentary of that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUL4SL0SKO4

Who is your favorite artist? Which of his/her artwork inspires you the most and why?A: I have many favourite artists who keep me going: Bernadine Fox, because she has quite a disability and she musters up the strength to keep going, to paint.

What challenges did you face during school days? How did you overcome those challenges?A: If you mean high school, elementary school, hm that was a long time ago. I was ' relentlessly teased in high school, it got so bad, I was moved to a new locker room. In university, it was a whole different ballgame; also it was in the usa. i had to learn sign language before the university started. they required new students to come early to do just that. during that time, I learned about black peoples culture, deaf culture, american culture, plus dealing with the heat and humidity of Washington D.C. that was a lot to take in all at once! I got heat stroke from not being familiar with how to behave in heat and humidity. I learned fast, though... learned to have water with me always and take frequent breaks, and walk slower.

Who is your inspiration?A:  James Picard, who did a documentary, about his struggle seeing his artwork burned as a chile. I consider James a friend and mentor; he was my teacher for a few courses I took over the years.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?A: play skip bo, share meals.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about that place?A: I visited kauai in 1986. I just had my first back surgery to fix scoliosis. I loved the sea captain who took us out on his newly refurbished boat on a tour. His daughter had the same surgery did! he took us to a secluded place where I could be lowered into the water. I was given a snorkel mask so I could see the schools of beautifully coloured tropical fish. Way better than at the aquarium!

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to explore a creative outlet?A: start! keep going. try many different ways of being creative!

Any special message for our community?A: Ask questions. avoid assuming. like if you are working with a person with a disability, you need patience as communication can be Very slow. but communication is worth the effort.
Please, especially avoid asking a deaf person, "do you lipread" what that really means is, "how do I communicate with you?" it took me a long time to figure that out! I still get asked that most hated question of mine, "do you lip read" I would rather be asked, an open question than just a yes no question.