Brenda

I’ve been drawing since I was old enough to hold a crayon. Art has always been a natural part of who I am, a gift I believe was handed down to me through my family. My grandfather, for example, was hired to restore very old paintings for the Fogg Museum in Boston, MA—a legacy of creativity and craftsmanship that has deeply inspired me.

Exploring Many Forms of Art

As I grew older, my love of drawing expanded into other forms of art. I’ve worked in painting (across many mediums), pottery, stained glass, and wood carving. Each new material and method has been a way for me to challenge myself, experiment, and bring imagination into form. I’m always eager to learn new techniques and explore new ways of expressing beauty.

Inspired by Nature

Many of my paintings are inspired by my time outdoors, especially hiking. I’ve painted countless natural scenes based on photographs I’ve taken while hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and beyond. Hiking all sixty-seven mountains in New England over 4,000 feet has given me not only personal satisfaction, but also endless inspiration for my art.

Training & Artistic Development

To strengthen my natural ability, I’ve taken many classes and workshops over the years, including:

Drawing II at Middlesex Community College with Jan Arabas (2003). Credit Class with 3.6 GPA
Intermediate Oils at the NH Institute of Art with Stuart Ober (2005)
Modern Impressionist Painting at the NH Institute of Art with Stan Moeller (2006)
Painting classes through Adult Education in Chelmsford, MA with Ruth Costello and Maureen Baker (2005)
Pottery classes in Chelmsford, MA and Derry, NH
Private stained glass instruction

I’ve also been a member of the Chelmsford, MA Art Society and am now seeking a new artist group closer to home in Londonderry, NH.

Creating for Others

In addition to my own projects, I love creating commissioned work. I’ve painted from customer photographs ranging from portraits of people and pets to cherished places like the church where a couple was married. Sometimes, a client will describe a scene from their imagination, and I bring it to life on canvas.

When creating commissioned work, I always begin by sketching the scene in pencil and sharing it with the client for approval. That collaboration ensures that the final painting reflects both my artistic vision and their personal story.

What Drives Me

For me, art is about connection—between memory and imagination, between nature and humanity, and between artist and client. Whether I’m painting a mountain sunrise, a beloved pet, or a custom scene for a customer, my goal is to capture not just the image but the feeling behind it.