Constance Brantley

Constance Brantley is a Los Angeles–based mixed Filipino American artist known for her vibrant figurative scenes, portraits, and dreamlike compositions that explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of the human condition. Her work is driven by a desire to understand identity, connection, and shared experience, drawing from personal history, everyday life, photography, and nature.

Through layered surfaces of acrylic, torn paper, oil stick, and palette knife, Brantley constructs richly textured paintings that invite an emotional exchange with the viewer. Rooted in both intuition and intention, each composition reflects her interest in “the rawness and vulnerability of our humanity” and a search for meaning within an increasingly artificial and digitally saturated world. As she describes, “one of the greatest rewards as an artist is making the viewer feel something… even if it can’t be explained in words.”

Her practice aligns with Neo-Emotionalism through its emphasis on emotional authenticity and human connection. By capturing fleeting moments and giving them permanence, Brantley reveals deeper emotional truths, creating space for viewers to engage with their own inner lives and shared sensitivities.

Brantley’s work has been exhibited widely, including a recent solo exhibition, The Island, which explored her roots in the Philippines and New York and was recognized among the top exhibitions in Los Angeles by major publications. Her paintings have been shown at institutions such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Stanford University, and Los Angeles City Hall, and she has been commissioned and published by the Los Angeles Times, notably for a cover piece honoring Kobe and Gigi Bryant.

Born in South Carolina and raised between New York and the Philippines, Brantley received her BFA from Pratt Institute and was awarded the Albert Dorne Award from the Society of Illustrators. She lives and works in Los Angeles.