About

Bri Dostie (she/her) is a transdisciplinary creative, multidisciplinary artist, and outdoor cultural strategist with studio practice spanning visual arts (drawing, watercolor, painting, illustration, digital) and written word. Her work follows lines of inquiry around identity, environmental influence, queerness, interconnected existence, and maps relational dynamics through observation and celebration of the natural world. Bri’s visual expressions are reflective and detailed, often exploring narratives of relationship and reclamation through dynamic composition and sometimes surreal interactions between subjects.

Bri is currently based between Missoula, MT and Portland, ME. Outside of studio practice, she is a Maine Recreation and Fishing Guide and founder of Confluence Collective, dedicating her time and energies to facilitating individual and community experiences in nature primarily through fly fishing.

More on Bri:

*Studio work is supported by resident art critic Nelson, pictured here reviewing a commission before shipping.*

Continuing the trend of less energies going into the social mediascape, while also enjoying this surprise bass canoeing back home this autumn. . . . I owe a lot of lessons in fly fishing to so many people around me, who have shared a riverbank or run at some point and by doing so, shared their knowledge and experiences. I’m also feeling something (maybe some pride?) around how I’ve sought out ways to improve, learn more, build skills, and do so disrupting “self-made” and expertise posturing narratives by learning in community and holding humility close. Fly fishing has been a way to prioritize my own needs, interests, and identity throughout the years, a way to define my own relationship with nature, and stay open to possibilities beyond what I can envision. . . As water freezes up and my own level of winter gloom rolls in, I’m especially appreciating the times I’ve gone for it, done the thing, and kept going. Winter can be a hard time to remember all that and see beyond off-season shifts; revisiting fishing stories is helping me maintain movement. . . . If you find yourself missing time together on the water this winter, check out virtual + in person gatherings with @confluence.collective starting up soon. This season is a great one to come together, reflect, revisit stories, and make plans for the work + joys ahead. #EveryBodyBelongsOnTheWater

Bye autumn, hello winter 👋🏼🌊

It’s time to order some art for you and your loved ones! 🤓 . . There was snow on the ground in Missoula to greet me after my last work trip of 2022, and the end of programming/speaking/workshop season: it’s officially creative rumination season. . . . You may have seen some of my creative work on the pages of @theflyfishjournal this autumn, or maybe you’ve been here for a while and are familiar with the annual print and greeting card plug; either way, I’m thankful to share my work and proud to send it to people all over as a way to celebrate the little details, interconnection, and growth. Sharing my work through prints and cards also helps me get started on new work — which I’m so looking forward to this year, more than ever before. So! If you’re looking to support creative expression, or maybe just need a nerdy/fishing-focused card to send to your riverbank buddies, head over to my website: www.bridostie.com Swipe through for a peek of what is available for purchase 🎨 . . I’m honored to work with local Maine printer and eco-friendly woman-owned business @paper.tides for their fine art printing. To me, art making is a community effort: without support for my creative endeavors, these pieces wouldn’t exist. I’m glad that I can look to another community-grounded entity to get these pieces out of my head + heart and into the world.

“We do cool things” . . . Officially only doing things that make her proud, embrace her nerdy, jumpstart joy jumbles to her heart, spice up her curiosity, and welcome all her parts to the space. So far this year has been up to the challenge — despite being perhaps the hardest chapter in my life. Pausing between sessions on watershed management, environmental advocacy, conservation projects and community science at the @allianceforthebay forum, I have a moment to breathe in the late autumn air and revisit all that has happened to bring me here. I’ll have grace with myself for learning, for growing, and for existing unapologetically human. And I’ll cherish the people, places, and deep relations along for the ride. Tomorrow, fly fishing workshops! But today, a bit of nerdy indulgence and profound gratitude. . . . . 📷 @joolyhart at the @confluence.collective MT Outcast Campout this summer, capturing the loving community glow

fly fishing is kind of like trick or treat for the fish, in this case a trick that paid off in a treat for us to meet this river monster. Nelson was only slightly spooked. . . . happy spooky season 🥸

fine femme brookie to share the last bit of fall fishing season with

camp chandelier

home with my bubs.

art bbs in print, and this is the only kind of covergirl I want to be Big thanks to @noreast_currents for his words, @klementovich for the very real portrait, and @theflyfishjournal for celebrating my art. Link in bio if you’d like a bird print of your own 🤓

back to teasing brookies . . . or more accurately: meandering over mossy mats of pine needles, squealing at mushrooms, and chillin out on rocky riverbanks with good people

Creative work is available on a contract basis: branded design, digital storytelling, narrative editing and illustration, educational resource design, textile design and more. Custom requests are welcome!