Medieval Daoists talked about “grotto heavens”—magical other worlds (often mountain and water landscapes) that contained medicinal herbs and mushrooms, minerals, and magico-symbolic animals. Grottoes were the realm of earthly immortals: enlightened humans who, through dedication and practice, attained a new level of existence. They were accessed through meditative, trance-inducing practices such as circle walking. The grottoes have fascinated Brandi since she first learned of them, and she continues to research them by seeking out translations of ancient Daoist texts. She uses their descriptions as inspiration, a springboard for ideas, but her true process is an intuitive one of search and discovery within each piece.

To create these pieces, Brandi begins with an ink or watercolor monotype print, and then use that as a jumping-off point for traditional Chinese landscape painting. She considers the initial monotype print to be the gateway, and the process of drawing to be a way of interacting with these imaginary realms—a journey of exploration with brush and ink.