“I was really excited because this is what I love and I get to do it as a job,” – Brenna Day
NORMAN, Oklahoma – Brenna Day (Mvskoke) is an artist of many different mediums. She has worked in pencil, charcoal, acrylic paints, pastels and most notably digital art. She joins a long list of talented Native American artists that produce art inspired by their culture.
Day is descended from Locvpokv and the Beaver clan. She is the daughter of Bill and Jennifer Day, the granddaughter of Gary and Betty Gerber, and the great granddaughter of the late Carl and Betty Martin.
She is a 2022 graduate of Broken Arrow High School. Excelling in her studies, Day was an advanced placement 2-D art student.
In February of 2022 Day’s two-dimensional digital art piece, “Ivory Billed Extinction” won an honorable mention at the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center’s Sutton Award art show. The art piece illustrates an Ivory Billed Woodpecker with a skeleton overlay.
The Mvskoke word for woodpecker is cvkvlv. It holds cultural significance as a medicine bird. Day used the bird as her subject due to its extinction in recent times, something that has had an impact on her. The species was rediscovered in the early 2000s, but has not been sighted since.
The “Ivory Billed Extinction” piece would go on to be displayed in the Oklahoma Young Talent Juried Art Show (YTIO) exhibit at the University of Central Oklahoma. It was honored as a judge’s choice designee.
Being featured in these exhibits opened Day’s eyes to the potential the art industry can bring.
“I got to walk around and see all these other exhibiting artists selling things,” Day said. “I can do that, I can be that if I want to.”
Day’s family was present to see her piece proudly exhibited in front of artists from around the country. It was even framed by a professional framing company. On top of feeling a sense of pride, Day explained that it was fun participating in an event where she was recognized for doing something she genuinely enjoys.
The journey to becoming a digital artist for Day began in 2019 when she received an iPad for Christmas. Just a few months later in early 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic began, providing her plenty of free time to hone her skills as a digital artist.
“I was drawing several hours everyday,” Day said.
Today Day continues to study digital art as a freshmen at the University of Oklahoma. Most recently she was accepted into the visual communication program through the art school.
“I was really excited because this is what I love and I get to do it as a job,” Day said.
When asked about her career aspirations after she finishes school, Day was optimistic about the future. Digital artists can find careers in software design, video game design and animation. For Day, her dream would be to one day work for the media company known for wishing upon stars.
“They have people at Disney,” Day said. “It would be amazing if I could work for Disney in [animated] costume design, or set design.”
Regardless of where Day’s career goes, her passion for the digital arts and her love for Mvskoke culture is clear and present in her work.
Day’s work can be found on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
If you would like to learn more about Day’s work she can be contacted at bjdaydesigns@gmail.com, or by phone at 918-298-6525.
