Halcyon Days: Ultra Vivid

Local artist Briana Godden invites you to her first-ever solo exhibition, Halcyon Days: Ultra Vivid, which transforms Gallery One at the John M. Parrott Art Gallery into a surreal world where black-and-white collide with ultra-vivid color, her otherworldly paintings come alive, capturing everyday moments made extraordinary. Briana has dedicated over a year to creating this body of work—a surreal reimagining of nostalgic imagery through the lens of electrifying color. Experience the full exhibition all March long, from February 28 to April 1, 2026, at Gallery One, 3rd Floor, Belleville Library, 254 Pinnacle St, Belleville, ON. Operating under the moniker Lady Brazen Studios, Godden is a Quinte West–based artist whose paintings combine surrealism with bold, vibrant colours, transforming the everyday into the extraordinary. She uses digital collage as a foundation, designing a remix of found imagery into distinct conceptual works. These designs serve as reference only—a jumping-off point—before being translated into large-scale acrylic paintings, executed entirely freehand on canvas using acrylic paint, UV powder, and glow pigment. Godden's paintings are defined by intentionally rendered black-and-white subject matter punctuated by hyper-vivid colour. This interplay—where grayscale and colour collide—creates a sense of transformation, nostalgia, and joie de vivre. Her work takes everyday scenes and routines and reframes them through a surreal lens, resulting in art that tells a story and invites emotional and narrative engagement. Black, White, and Color Collide. The Art of Surreal Life encapsulates the visual and conceptual language of her practice. Godden received instruction from Algonquin College and the Haliburton School of Art and Design in illustration, painting, and digital image design. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows and festivals across Ontario and has been featured by Global News, YourTV Kingston, Umbrella Magazine, and The Intelligencer. Her paintings and limited-edition prints are held in private collections internationally. Based out of her home studio in Trenton, Ontario, Godden personally conceptualizes, paints, frames, and prepares every original and print. Her evolving body of work reflects a sustained commitment to craft, storytelling, and connection—offering viewers a space where familiar moments are transformed into something unexpected and deeply felt.