Spotlight Artist: Brit Phatal

Welcome to Brit’s fantasy world- a tableau of audacious eye candy where humor holds power, no idea is out-of-reach, and being yourself is the ultimate fashion statement.

Brit Phatal is a multidisciplinary artist and beauty director from Montreal. They have done makeup for Mia Khalifa, Vogue, and a Kardashian! Brit Phatal presents their most personal work, a series of portraits, all cast and shot by Phatal.

To find out more about Brit Phatal check out their Instagram.

Interview with Brit Phatal

Questions by Kimberly Corday

Do you see the creative path as a choice or a non negotiable fate? What has your journey as an artist looked like so far?

I see it as a choice!

My parents encouraged me at a very young age to focus on school, but all I could think about at fifteen was this pair of low crotch dress pants from Vivienne Westwood that I needed more than anything in life. I felt deeply misunderstood by friends and peers, but I knew that fashion was feeding my soul and it became an obsession that turned into passion.

In my early twenties, I got to explore my sexual identity through the art of drag. On top of doing my own hair and makeup, I would also create my own garments to go to nightclubs, and parading around, serving looks. During the pandemic, I built the confidence to invest fully in my artistry and believe in myself as a well rounded artist. I currently love to showcase my vision with film photography.

I choose to believe my path as a choice as I am still fighting to create, to express myself, to live my dream, and I never take it for granted.

What do you think your career would be in a parallel universe?

I think I would have a completely different life and career.

I remember Brooke, this fabulous waiter I met at the Holts café in Montreal. He was sometimes struggling to pay rent, but if he could have it his way, he would spend all his earnings on Saint Laurent leather jackets and The Row shoes.

I think being a makeup artist is similar to being a waiter in some ways, as we both work with old and new clients, and we can have the chance to connect with them in very meaningful ways. I think in a parallel universe, I would be a waiter at a diner, daydreaming about being an artist, serving coffee, waiting tables.

Who or what would you say is your least expected inspiration?

I think nothing is off limits when it comes to inspiration.

I can be a control freak when it comes to how I want to articulate my vision, however, as a cancer, I am in no control of my moods and flow of emotions. I get most inspired when I feel nostalgic and love listening to French Canadian music the most to get to my feels as it reminds me of my childhood.

Now that I have my own place to myself, I am reviving my love for collecting fashion magazines. I just recently bought a couple of old Korean beauty magazines from my friend’s garage sale and cannot wait to cut and collage.

I continuously remind myself to stay curious, listen to my heart, and open my soul to new adventures, as everything is inspiration.

Describe an outfit that sums up your personal style.

I think I like to dress differently all the time because while I like to be different characters, I am also interested in seeing how style and fashion can change the way people treat you. I think over the years, my style has evolved to its peek minimalism, but still iconic. Right now I am rocking really thin hand plucked brows and a very 98 Posh haircut. My day to day outfit consist of an oversized t shirt, baggy Dickies shorts and white knee high socks. I feel most comfortable in thrifted clothing, but I also have a weakness for designer shoes, and Balenciaga currently reigns.

Your work calls to mind the world of transgressive filmmaker John Waters and some of the louder LaChapelle photographs from the 90s. How would you say your artistic expression pushes the boundaries of beauty and social norms?

Those iconic artists were definitely mavericks and beyond iconic leaders. I relate to their way of parodying social trends and societal conventions.

I think the world of fashion and beauty can seem quite narrow, but over the last years, the boundaries of beauty and social norms have been greatly pushed.

I don’t think of my artistic process as challenging ideals or norms, but I know it came from my inept desire to create. And I think a lot of what pushes me to create is to heal my inner child, and celebrate my wildest ideas.

There were beautiful things I was deprived of, growing up, and fantasies that I needed to see to believe, and that is what I want to honor in my artistic expression!

You studied Art History for undergrad which would explain the gestural mark-making and painterly approach to makeup. How has your education influenced your work?

At university, I was never a studious person. It took me forever to get my art history degree. I failed many classes and barely made it through.

Looking back at this period of my life, I remember while I studied the life and work of some of

the most creative people, I deprived myself of just that. Creativity. I think my education taught me a lot about myself, but getting my bachelors was mostly my gift to my parents, as well as an opportunity to use everything I have learned and feel validated to lead with imagination and see where it leads me.

What Art Historical period(s)/artist do you connect with the most?

One of the first artists I fell in love with was John Currin. His paintings were influenced by the Renaissance era, but he has a very modern and satirical point of view that was heavily inspired by runway models and pop culture. Kanye West and Marc Jacobs are also big fans.

I remember discovering his erotic paintings at seventeen, and being deeply enthused by his attention to detail and his stylistic choices. His art made you question what is beautiful and what is grotesque.

I really admire his work ethic and the fact that his muses were friends, celebrities and adult entertainers.

Whose face do you hope to paint one day?

I want to paint everybody!! I want to paint artists that I admire, and I want to paint my haters! What I love most about doing makeup is the connections I make through doing something I am really passionate about.

But the one face I have manifested forever to paint one day is my teenage idol Avril Lavigne. She completely defined my adolescence and is pure iconicity to me. I am also sure I sent Lucy Liu a couple of Dms telling her how obsessed I am with her and that I would die to slay her visage. And have tea.

Is your creative universe similar to your personality?

I think so! I think my vision is tied to who I am as a person and what I have experienced in life. I’m a very ironic person and it secretly thrills me when someone gets offended at my sarcasm. I seem to always reject seriousness, as delusion seem to be always more attractive to me. I think that attitude is reflected in my work.

My creative universe is ultimately my safe space where my wildest ideas are celebrated. I hope to one day be as audacious as the art I put out.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for my great karaoke performances and for changing the world with my iconic and revolutionary ideas!! But ultimately, I want to be remembered as a big sibling that loves you and will always be there for you. I see myself as someone who will challenge your growth and push you to the limits of creativity. I hope to inspire whoever resonates with my vision, to be resourceful and to lead with love and passion <3