Join us in our excitement as we welcome a new artist joining Well + Wonder on Thursday, Madeleine Bridges! Madeleine is a Mississippi artist whose work pulses with the spirit of the South. With bold, textured strokes, she transforms canvas into keepsakes, each layer capturing a story worth savoring. Her paintings reflect the vibrancy of her own life—celebrating the places, people, and things that make Southern living a tapestry of comfort and light. Through her art, you’ll find quiet mornings curled up with a loyal dog, slow afternoons beneath sprawling oak trees, and lively evenings steeped in the aroma of unforgettable meals. We are SO excited to officially introduce Madeleine to our Well + Wonder community! Join us Thursday at 10 am as we launch Madeleine and the ~sweetest~ debut body of work into the Well + Wonder collection, but until then, continue reading and learn a little bit more about this talented artist.
What is currently on your nightstand?
Likely a pacifier, a baby doll, a few action figures… There are a lot of little people around here, and Mama’s side of the bed is their happy place.
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Henry Hensche is my favorite artist of all time. His use of color and light is a true inspiration. If he were still alive, I probably would move heaven and earth to learn from him.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I lived through my elementary years in Lakeland, Florida, and it was a true childhood dream.Every day was warm and sunny. There were monthly trips to the beach and Disney World.Orange trees grew in my backyard. I can’t think of a happier, more carefree time. When I was in 5th grade, my family moved to Mississippi (where my parents grew up). It felt like coming home, even though I had never lived here. There’s a charm about the South that instantly hugs you.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
You can do a million things with oil paint. That’s what I love about it. It is so forgiving. You can paint a painting in a day… Or paint a painting over many months. A piece is just as “finished” with one layer or a thousand. It makes every day a joy and a puzzle!
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
Easily my living room. We live so much life here. There are large windows bringing all the sunlight in. A huge couch begs for friends to sit for a while. Babies play on the open rug. Toys are likely scattered around the edges. It houses all of my most priced pieces of art (from artists I love). Collections of leather books and preserved bugs fill the bookshelves. My toddler is probably tickling the piano keys in the corner. It is a space that fluidly transitions from formal to fun, and it brings me so much joy to watch one room filter so much light and life.
What is your biggest score online?
Art. By far. I purchased 3 pieces painted by an artist I never heard of 3 years ago. My style changed following the purchase and so did my goals as an artist. I walk by them every day and sometimes just stare to find new details. They are stunning!
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
I think that having someone make the art-buying process less daunting is an incredible offering. It can be intimidating to purchase artwork, especially when you are new. But art is the soul of your home, and you truly need that “life” in your space. My best advice when buying art is to buy something that sticks with you. If it gives you a feeling, it’s the right fit. Art is meant to evoke something within you, not just take up space on the wall.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
I went to the Louvre in 2018, and I still regret not having more time there. They had an amazing collection of Monet’s paintings, and I could’ve spent so much more than the hours I had to sit with them. His detail and layering is unmatched, and it is truly something that is better in person.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
The Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is in Taormina, Sicily. I spent my honeymoon there and it will forever be the bar for an immaculate and curated hotel. They valued the artisans of the area and used so many “real” pieces in their decorating. I felt like a millionaire.
If you were a lipstick color, would you be red, pink, or clear, and why?
Clear. I’m typically more understated. I don’t like much attention. But I have my use!
I can never get on a plane without…
Headphones. I’m not on a plane to make friends, but that’s the introvert in me.
How did you get into the world of art?
I learned oil painting in high school from an artist down the street. Her methods stuck with me and always felt comforting. Painting is a lifelong skill that is unlike any other. I hope I’m still painting at 80.
What do you do to relax?
There’s a lot of time to relax around my house these days… Sleep?
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
I love working in the mornings. Something about the sunrise and the way the light hits the world in the morning time. It just feels like such an inspiration– The day is young and you can do anything with it! Go paint something new.
Prediction for the Color of 2026?
I hope it’s a fun green. Greens are so versatile in a home. They feel natural and full of life at the same time.
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
Dinner, for sure. My favorite date night features new foods at a trending restaurant and a cocktail or two.
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
My favorite painting I ever painted was my very first, actually. It is a food-scape painting of my family’s heirloom china and a sentimental meal my mom cooks for us. It is called “Sunday Lunch.” It was the first time I realized I could paint something that not only looked real but also felt like it had a living, breathing depth to it.
One piece of advice for buying original art?
The right painting will always stick with you. It will “feel” like you. Art has a way of sharing a personality and I think you’ll find the one that speaks when you see it.
