About
Hi, my name is Gretchen...
I’m an award-winning LEGO artist and I love building things with tiny plastic bricks. I got my first LEGO set when I was 3 and I’ve been building for 50 years. I’ll let you do the math on that.
Some of my favorite builds are puzzles, like my Rubik’s snake, and brick sketches like Wednesday Addams. I also like building small animals and fun shapes, like the Ghost emoji.
I like to share my designs, so you’ll find instructions for many of my projects here. You can see my work at various LEGO shows in the Dallas, Texas area.
My Process
Every builder is different. I usually start by creating a model in the Bricklink Stud.io app on my Macbook. This gives me access to all the bricks without having to own all the bricks.
Once I have a design I like, I source as many bricks from my personal collection and buy the rest from local stores or vendors on sites like Bricklink.com.
Next, I build the actual model and test for structural integrity, aesthetics, playability, etc. If any changes are needed, I update the digital version to match the physical adjustments.
When the model is complete, I return to the app and create step-by-step instructions to share here on the BrickGirl.art website.
Minimalist LEGO
Most LEGO enthusiasts like to say things like “you can never have enough LEGO” and are always on the hunt for more bulk bargains.
I’m kind of the opposite. I like minimalism and only keeping things I really need. Sure, I still have a lot of bricks (a walk-in closet full to be honest), but I’m slowly working that inventory down through builds, trading and selling.
My goal is to keep a small inventory and source what I need when I need it. I’m fortunate enough to live in an area where LEGO stores are everywhere and there are lots of fellow AFOLs nearby.
Where To Find Me
My work has been displayed at Brick World in Chicago, Brick Rodeo, and locally at an art gallery. Currently, I try to display my work at as many shows as I can near Dallas, Texas. As time permits, I may venture out a bit further.
Meanwhile, you can follow my creative outbursts on Facebook and Instagram.
FAQ
What is a MOC?
MOC is the acronym for My Own Creation. It’s what LEGO fans call models they have designed and built themselves and are not official sets sold by LEGO.
Where can I get the parts to make these?
LEGO can be found in a variety of places. You can source parts for all my MOCs on places like Bricklink.com and Brickowl.com.
You can also check your local LEGO Store, or any Bricks & Minifigs reseller, or order individual pieces from LEGO.com.
Did you make all of these models yourself?
Yes. Everything on this site is my original design. I follow a lot of other great LEGO designers to learn and to get inspiration. I also buy an occasional LEGO set to learn new techniques. But mostly I build my own stuff from scratch.
Can I modify the design or change the color?
Absolutely! LEGO is all about creativity. Use any of my models as a starting point for your own ideas. And I’d love to see them when they are finished!
Can you make a model for me?
That depends. I can’t say yes to everything, but I will certainly take requests. Contact me with the details and I’ll let you know if it is a good fit for my style of building and if the timeline works for my schedule.
Who built your website?
I did. Yes, for real. I’m the founder of a branding agency called Left Right Labs and I also created the Girls Can’t WHAT? website in 2005. My superpower is brand strategy + user experience and I’ve been building award-winning websites for over 20 years.
