Gift Shop Artist of the Month

Brandy Klindworth

Brandy Klindworth is the owner and artist-preneur of Ladder Mouse, creating flora, fauna, and fungi-inspired illustrations. She currently resides in Fairbanks, AK with her husband where you may come across her work stocked in local shops and galleries, meet her set-up at seasonal markets, or find her teaching art classes at local venues. She most often works with watercolor paint, using minimal water and just enough paint to create fine, precise details. She chooses to harmonize minimalism and maximalism in her pieces, utilizing negative background space to achieve balance with a nod to traditional scientific illustrations. 

She has become most inspired by the forest floor with growing interest and personal research in mycology and botany. She eagerly awaits August in Alaska when rainfall brings a plethora of fungi that make fantastic photo references for her illustrations, while feeling like a treasure hunt in the woods. She never fails to find inspiration in earthy color palettes or materials, antique stores, magazine clippings, music, trips to the library, or going for a walk. While in her studio, you’ll find her with a mug of chai tea playing the same music playlist every single day. 

After a near-death ice climbing experience in 2017 that caused Brandy to lose some dominant hand-function, she has become a passionate advocate in encouraging others to pursue their purpose and utilize their gifts and abilities to their fullest extent, taking action to overcome their fears. 

Be sure to stop by the Bear Gallery Gift Shop (3rd floor Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Pioneer Park) Monday-Friday, Noon-6 pm to see Brandy’s wonderful artwork!

You can learn more about Brandy and her work at laddermouse.com

You can follow Brandy on Instagram @laddermouse