Discover the creative journey behind Brent Estabrook's residency in Gstaad, where spontaneity, community engagement, and artistic mastery come together to create magic.
Brent Estabrook: When I came to Gstaad, I wasn't sure what I would create here. I knew I'd be painting, but I had no clear direction. Storytime showcases various styles and series, and I was okay with not knowing what I would produce initially. The process-oriented approach is the real fun part, even though it makes me a bit nervous. As an artist, you want your creative time to be valuable—not financially, but in a life, artist, and creative sense, moving things forward.
I started painting outside, interacting with people while creating. My pieces began as scribbles, making gestural marks and letting the painting evolve. The environment—clouds, grass—started influencing the artwork. The nature of Gstaad, with its stunning beauty, inspired the atmosphere in my paintings. The characters in my work are a mix of my past creations and the show’s theme, like my Spiffy piece, which is quite popular.
Creating in the moment, letting the creativity flow, has become my ethos over the past few years. It’s a meditative state that I strive to enter, although it can be challenging.
Brent Estabrook: Absolutely. Engaging with people in Gstaad has been a highlight. Kids especially love my artwork, and I appreciate their genuine reactions. Some adults are initially hesitant to enter the gallery because of the whimsical subjects like unicorns and teddy bears, but once they come in, they leave with smiles.
Every day, around 1:30 pm, when there's shade outside, I move my easel and palette out front. I enjoy painting among people, seeing their reactions, and answering their questions.
Brent Estabrook: Yes, and I love it. Kids often ask what I'm painting, and I tell them I don’t know—I'm painting what feels right at the moment. I also ask them for title suggestions. For instance, a German kid titled a piece “In der Neun,”—t’s great to see both families react with curiosity and joy.
Brent Estabrook: Definitely. Painting outside and interacting with people, has been very rewarding. Kids understand the playfulness and creativity more quickly than adults, who often try to intellectualise the art. I encourage them to embrace the limitless possibilities of creativity.
Brent Estabrook: Exactly. I see myself as a jazz musician of art. Jazz musicians create something new in the moment because they've mastered their craft. Similarly, in art, after mastering technical skills, you learn to trust your creative ability and shut off the critical mind. This freedom is challenging but crucial for losing oneself in the creative process.
At the beginning of this residency, I had fears about whether I could perform creatively. But each time, creativity reassures me that as long as I trust the process, great things will happen.
Brent Estabrook: The residency has allowed me to embrace spontaneity and engage deeply with the community. The interactions with people have been very enriching. I've also found joy in painting outside and being part of the community's daily life.