Meet Cara Brewer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cara Brewer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cara, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This is a daily struggle with regards to just life in general right now in this country. Mental health awareness is vital for us all. But in learning to cope with depression, which I’ve done my entire life it seems, I found that my soul is at peace when in nature. My art is inspired by nature and is created FOR nature. So to give up, would be to give up on nature, the very thing that feeds my soul, my spirit, my body, my everything. Even if I don’t succeed as a business woman, I’ll have succeeded at life. Our “goal oriented in order to make an abundance of the almighty dollar” society has got to do some serious soul searching.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Almost every time I’m out in nature with my camera (Nikon D750) I’m doing so in search of restoring my own peace. Each piece of art is a collective memory of a certain hike, getaway or camping trip. I combine my images into collages with layers (using adobe photoshop) which end up on mixed media (metal/acrylic/wood) combinations, stacked one on top of the other. I never felt compelled to compete with other nature photographers. It’s not my thing, nor my skillset to set off to find that one image that transcends all others. I see the small and the often-considered “insignificant” as the subjects that deserve the attention. This may very well be due to my upbringing on the plains of South Dakota. (favorite quote by Willa Cather “anyone can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie”.) After graduating from the Art Institute of Colorado in 2000 I didn’t get much direction, other than to be told I needed to move to either LA, NY or Chicago. But I’m not a city girl! So I kept working and hoping the answers would drop in my lap. But during Covid, my passion for nature took off and I never looked back. Then in 2023, I noticed some work produced by a sign company / print lab. The work consisted of multi layered acrylics float-mounted on other acrylic. And that’s when my imagination was able to flow, with the knowledge of what resources were available to me as a photographer. In 2000, the digital aspect of photography was very limited at the art institute. But it got my foot in the door, and I taught myself the rest. I’m not afraid to push buttons because there’s always the “undo” option! I created my first mixed media collage in the fall of 2023 and it excited me so much I just kept going and going. I knew I needed a good amount of pieces in order to appeal to galleries, or even to get juried into art festivals. I got accepted into a few galleries that felt right to me in 2024, then tried my first three art festivals in the fall of that same year. The festivals proved to be very successful, with sales and many compliments in regards to the uniqueness of my photography and how it draws people in, where some might be inclined to walk away from photography (their words, not mine). My unique style might be what I’m most proud of. This alone has pushed me forward and helps to know I’m on the right track. The art festivals are credited with bringing me together with my first commission client. So I’m a fan of the art festivals! Every comment/critique gifts me with ideas for the next piece. Every other artist around me inspires me and my work. The only drawback to my art endeavors is the significant cost of producing these pieces and the cost of tent space at art festivals. All us artists are in the same boat, which is why we bond and feel like family. I’m a waitress and sixty years old. lol. So I’m praying harder and harder that my art and imagery takes off sooner rather than later. But it is not discouraging by any means! I’ve still got some years in me for waitressing. And the joy of being out in nature with my camera is life sustaining, whether I sell a piece or not. My goal is to bring nature to others and inspire them to regard it with as much reverence as I do. I fear for nature at this moment and time, to the point of feeling that perhaps soon it won’t be around for the next generation to enjoy. I hope I’m wrong. A dream is to do commissions for people nationwide or even internationally!!! Dream Big Stay Humble!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first of all, you’re asking an introvert this question, so I’d take them away from the city. There are so many hikes near and around the city where no one even knows about. It’s like being transported to another place and time where nature is still hanging on. If they wanted to experience the city, I’d send them to Meow Wolf Denver, which is not too far from Elitch Gardens, Coors Field and Ball Arena. Then for music venues, I’d direct them straight to a Red Rocks Amphitheater concert, something everyone should experience! And we can’t forget the Denver Botanic Gardens and their summer concerts!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Creator/God for creating this beautiful planet which provides us with life; my sisters; my few close friends; and my husband. Oh I can’t forget my cats!

Website: https://www.carabrewerphotography.com

Instagram: @carabrewerphotography

Facebook: Cara Brewer Photography

Other: TikTok @carabrewerphotography

Image Credits
Cara Brewer of Cara Brewer Photography