Bianca Brandolino
They / Them | Genderfluid Artist & Narrative Architect
The majority of my creative work is derived from my own human experiences; acting as an invitation to discuss fat acceptance, mental illness, healing from trauma, gender identity, and finding the silver linings that keeps one going on the daily.
I refuse to limit myself to one medium- exploring many forms of creation but find that quilting, use of fabric, and narrative zine story telling have been continuous creative threads that I’ve followed.
I run my studio out of my home in Chicago, IL on the stolen lands of the Council of Three Fires and other Indigenous tribes such as: Ojibwe, Odawa and Potowatomie nations, as well as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, Fox, Kickapoo, and Illinois nations.
Abstraction as Self Exploration
Zines as Self Expression
Kintsugi | Hand-Painted Zine
Self published, 2021
A hand-painted zine about the Japanese pottery repair process of Kintsugi and it’s symbolism as a metaphor for healing from trauma and embracing your own uniqueness!
Hand painted watercolor illustrations digitally printed on smooth eggshell cardstock. Hand-stitched gold holographic binding.
EACH Kintsugi zine is uniquely hand-painted with gold overlay on each page. No two are the same!
A New Day | Comic
Self published, 2020
A little autobiographical in nature, A New Day is about waking up with existential dread and the anxiety of being, and about the grounding thoughts that center oneself to begin a new day with hope.
This zine does pertain to the experience of daily living with mental illness and suicidal ideation.
Hand painted watercolor illustrations digitally printed. Hand-stitched with purple holographic thread, and digitally printed pink vellum cover.
Good Omens | Zine
Self published, 2021
A documentation of the good omens that have come my way. A study in awe and finding the silver lining in each day with additional pages for you to document your own omens!
Hand painted watercolor illustrations digitally printed on smooth eggshell cardstock. Hand-stitched binding with wine colored seed beads ( each batch uses different seed beads).
Rain | Mini Comic Zine
Self published, 2022
A hand-painted watercolor zine about the magic of getting caught in the rain. Digital sketching on watercolor.
Hand painted watercolor illustrations digitally printed on smooth white cardstock. Stapled.
Hotties on Potties | Zine
Self published, 2024
A documentation of the good omens that have come my way. A study in awe and finding the silver lining in each day with additional pages for you to document your own omens!
Hand painted watercolor illustrations digitally printed on smooth eggshell cardstock. Hand-stitched binding with wine colored seed beads ( each batch uses different seed beads).
I Love Horror Films Vol. 1 | Zine
Self Published, 2022
Volume one of my I Love Horror Films Zine series - 15 unique digitally painted black and white illustrations from 15 wonderfully spooky horror films. This zine is perfect for folks who love horror or would love a recommended list to start with!
Digitally painted and printed on heavy weight gray speckle paper. Handstitched binding in read thread, with a single glass ‘blood drop’ on the spine.
Unique hand-painted jewelry pieces on hand-shaped clay pendants and mother of pearl bead components. Each piece is different, all clay pendants are hand formed. All works are sealed in crystal-clear resin to prevent any chipping or paint fading. Check out what I have on hand!
Original Paintings
Original works of fine art looking for their forever homes. Ready to hang in your crib. Each work priced individually based on time spent, materials use and cost, and conceptual value.
Direct purchase available.
Certificate of purchase provided.
Seducing a Self-Possessed Hedonist, 2020
Lush, 2021
Meet the Artist
I'm Bianca, a genderqueer & chronically ill artist & designer.
I am a Plus-sized Trans/Genderfluid sad anime boy.
Currently living with the following; Severe chronic depression, chronic anxiety, PTSD & C-PTSD, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
I graduated from Peck School of the Arts in 2015 and promptly experienced disillusionment regarding my lifetime goal - to become a seasoned painter and have a solo show in NYC. Basically, I went to NYC and realized that my perception of what it means to be a successful artist was rooted in a history of male dominated white privilege and structural gate keeping.
In 2017/18 I came out as Genderfluid/Genderqueer and went to an event in the Midwest called CAKE, Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, and everything clicked back into place for me ! In 2020, I self published and printed my first comic, A New Day, out of a dingy little side room of my previous apartment. I applied to zine fests and comic events and then COVID hit!
Since 2020, I've managed to participate in various art events including a live painting event called Art64 and held a small solo show at Clement Manor, a retirement community that needed a little boost of color in its halls. I've tabled at several zine and comic events such as Milk, Madison Print and Resist, Milwaukee Zine Fest, Midwest Perzine Fest, and even SPX ( Small Press Expo)!
My favorite things in the world are fresh summer ripened tomatoes, my two cats; Viktor and Thomas, guinea pigs, and retro dystopian anime. In my spare time I volunteer at Hi Kitty Kitty Cat Shelter, make clothes for my calico critters, and watch an unhealthy amount of horror films. I'm also an avid reader and collector, especially of horror, queer graphic novels and manga.