American artist, Mia Brownell, is an artist whose paintings use the illusionistic conventions of traditional food still-life painting, simultaneously referencing 17th century Dutch realism and the coiling configurations of scientific molecular imaging.  The culture, science, and environmental issues surrounding the global industrial food complex often inspire Brownell’s sci-fi still-life paintings.  Brownell is intrigued by DNA and proteins — the building blocks of food and life. 

Brownell has received numerous awards and honors, including New York Foundation for the Arts (Mark & SOS grants), New York State Council on the Arts (ArtsW Grant), US Department of State (Art in Embassies), Public Art Commissions (University of Connecticut Health Center and the city of Geneva, New York), and Connecticut State University research grants.  Past residencies include Millay Colony and the American Academy of Rome.

Mia Brownell is a Professor of Art and Design in New Haven at Southern Connecticut State University where she has been teaching painting and drawing for over 25 years.

Photo Credit: Martin Kruck

Proteins move and spiral and fold unto themselves. That movement is something I try to capture in my work. I am fascinated by the visible and invisible aspects of food and science, and I think my paintings tap into that polarity. - MB