Brett Andrus and Riley Bratzler. Photo: Lauren McKenzie of REN Creativ

Colorado Springs artists embolden each other

By Kristian DePue

There’s a back-alley bar in downtown Colorado Springs comically called Shame & Regret. It’s a lounge with Rat Pack style, Brat Pack spirit, and 15c as the faded address on the door. Inside, there’s craft cocktails surrounded by swanky decór with a little attitude – cheap, canned beer and shots of Chicago Malört are an option. Within this corridor hideaway—displayed above the tufted booths and leather enclaves—there are striking, surreal oil paintings by Brett Andrus, some featuring model and print-maker Riley Bratzler as an ethereal figure.

Andrus is a Colorado native who studied painting and art history at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia before returning home in 2001. Since then, Andrus has established two award-winning fine art galleries in Colorado Springs – Modbo and S.P.Q.R. — while being featured in numerous shows, venues, establishments and publications. He’s won several awards along the way.

Bratzler is all-around interested in art, creativity and community – contributing abundantly and graciously. She previously held a prominent position with the Colorado Springs’ news publication, The Independent, which puts great effort into reporting on the Pikes Peak area’s cultural scene. Since, she has endeavored on a new community role while intentionally focusing her efforts on printmaking and sketch work.

The two of them formed a partnership with both personal and vocational aspirations, and they support each other in the most basic, beautiful level: building life together.

The following Q&A highlights two fascinating lives and has been edited for clarity.

Talk about your childhoods and how you grew up?

Brett Andrus: I was raised in a pack of wolves with gypsies, marching across Czechoslovakia. No—jokes—I grew up in Colorado Springs. My dad was a colonel in the Air Force at the Academy here, and my mom was a school teacher. I was raised in Black Forest, when it was more isolated. In isolation, I had to get creative to entertain myself – first, with comic books. Eventually, I had great art teachers in both middle and high school – they were very kind, thoughtful, and helped me find my path.

Oh, I started playing music young too … in a punk band at age 15. I was a bass player.

Riley Bratzler: I also grew up in Colorado Springs. I attended Pikes Peak Community College … focusing on art history. I dropped out and started working for VSCO – a visual, social-media resource … a creative photography app. At the time, VSCO had three offices, and one of them was here in The Springs. I worked for VSCO for a couple years. They eventually absorbed into Oakland, Calif.

Afterwards, I took an extended break from art while working for The Independent, but began classes at the Modbo art gallery and the SPQR gallery.

Brett, tell us about the steps that led to S.P.Q.R. and Modbo?

BA: At the time, I stopped painting for four or five years. When I started getting back into it, I realized there was nowhere to exhibit. I felt it was the right time to provide space, community-wise. The city wanted art. When I get an idea in my head, there’s no stopping me.

Riley, what forms or mediums did you explore before arriving where you are today?

RB: I was excited to try anything. My prints are very different from other work I do. I feel as though my printmaking is much more specific … almost akin to folk storytelling.

Also, taking classes at Modbo and SPQR, I was pushed to grow and not be afraid of failure. The communities I found were uplifting … but very honest.

What are visual artists that inspire you? Also, what music resonates with you when you create?

RB: SOEY MILK – she’s a fantastic painter and Kent Williams. That duo is very inspiring. Also, a painter named Joshua Lawyer.

I’ve been listening to Land of Talk lately, a Canadian band from Montreal. I saw them at Meow Wolf.

BA: I’ve been exploring figurative painting … and exhibiting for 22 years (with) installation work in the 1990s. The first artist I took notice of was Odd Nerdrum – incredible technique. He set me on a path (of) oil painting. I gravitate toward artists that are studio-bound, disciplined … and without grandiose ideas. I also love the work of Kent Williams, Casey Baugh, and Jeremy Mann, and this Mexican artist who goes by KiKyz1313.

Can you each tell me about a significant experience in life that has shaped you as an artist and your approach to creating? Such as a travel experience, a mentor, the death of a loved one, etc.

RB: When I was 18 years old, my father passed away – and I had only met him three years prior. It was a tumultuous relationship for those few years, and I didn’t know how to handle it when he died – it was very sudden. I left, traveled, backpacked – trying to process my feelings, which included a lot of guilt. And Brett actually helped me through a lot of those emotions.

My last show, Death Rattle, was about that – and came out in July 2019 at Kreuser Gallery here in downtown Colorado Springs.

BA: I was diagnosed with Leukemia – Chronic, a few years ago. I was at the doctor for something else and did not expect that. President’s Day weekend, on a Saturday, I sat in a closet and had a freak out. But I ended up looking at it as an opportunity to seize what I have and live … and live with power. It’s a rare diagnosis, especially at my age. But I want to make the life I want – and reconnect with what I love: creating.

Art making is a privilege that should be handled with reverence. There’s something bigger than me—than myself—when creating.

Outside of your visual artwork, what other projects are you invested in currently?

RB: I started working with Pike Ride. I’m their community outreach manager. I help out with all of their events, memberships, and educating people about a bike share.

BA: I’ve been a full-time mortgage professional for 18 years. It’s my bread and butter … it pays the bills. I’m in a new band with no name, so far. I used to play a lot of music.

Do either of you have anything coming up that you’d like to highlight or make mention of?

BA: This is the first time I’ve been in a relationship with a visual artist. A professor told me to never date one, and I can’t tell you how wrong he was. With Riley, I’ve found this safe space to create … with music playing – we have a mutual respect and accountability.

RB: Our relationship has made me more disciplined, scheduled and ritualistic with my approach to art. Get your ass in the studio – you can’t just wait for inspiration.