Family has played a big role in Brady Legler’s development as a jewelry designer and painter. He began designing jewelry in 2008 at the age of 19 with the inspiration of his Italian grandmother, Lou Legler (“Nana”). A fashion model from the 1940s to the 1960s, Lou had her own ideas on what was fashionable: “Never blend in, find something you like and add something of yourself to it.” His own mother Shelly Legler, also a model, is the brand ambassador of his eponymous line. Both his jewelry and his paintings have gained Brady a wide audience. The paintings have sold worldwide and samples of his artwork have appeared in Elle Décor, Modern and Hunger UK magazines. “Art is all about color for me. When I pick up a paintbrush my goal is to add depth, movement, and emotion but I cannot attain any of these without the right colors.” His abstract works of art can vary in mood from the raw and spontaneous to the thoughtful and serene. Images from the paintings are now being translated onto wool and silk rugs handmade in Nepal. When some people view Brady Legler’s paintings for the first time, they see the work of an Abstract Expressionist. Others say he’s a contemporary artist. And then there’s a minority who call him a Colorist for his use of bright, bold colors on the canvas. The Colorist label may make the most sense for Brady himself. Each color carries its own significance to Brady but none have a greater personal meaning for him than the color blue.