about the artist

statement

As a child, my home was unsettling and chaotic. Being raised by a mother whose life was ruled by schizophrenia and dementia, I desired security, stability, sense, and at times I was the parent. My respite was my art. From this I painted and sketched representational subjects, things that I could relate to, recognize at first glance, understand and feel comfortable with.

Over time, water became my muse. To the average viewer it may be just a pond or a lake, but look deeper into the element. It suspends us, calms us, and soothes us. Water that is calm and still propels one to contemplate the senses.

Reflection and depth are the metaphor in my work. With its’ surface as my veil, protecting the deeper self, sometimes suspending a small leaf and cared for, it offers occasional highlights from it’s surrounding environment. The sky falls on it’s surface, becoming the color of my work and often reflecting unclouded heavens. Within the shadows a glimpse of the depth is suggested, possibly even a shy hint of the bed, but never telling.

My work is created with soft pastel on sandpaper. A medium that is dry and dusty, incongruous of any wet surface I paint. Most of my pastels are rolled by hand creating unique and sometimes irreplaceable colors, although I do use manufactured pastels on occasion. The painting surface is Archival grade Wallis Museum sanded paper that holds the pigment well and sometimes gives my work the appearance of an oil painting.

biography

Brenda Boylan is admired for her soft, impressionistic, peaceful themes of water and landscapes. Creating since she was young, she recalls her first commissioned painting was at the age of twelve. After earning a BS degree in Applied Art and Design at Cal Poly State University, she began a career of twelve years as a Graphic Designer. Desiring a life with more artistic freedom, she moved to her own studio and worked with many mediums, but now prefers pastels because they are “so instant and gratifying”. She has been painting professionally for thirteen years and is often found outdoors painting en plein-aire. Brenda finds time to participate in local juried shows in the Portland area as well as holding membership with the Northwest Pastel Society, the Beaverton Arts Commission, a juried “Plus” member of EBSQart.com, a Portland Open Studios participant, and teaches Art Literacy to grade school students. She is represented by The Earthworks Gallery on the Oregon coast.

professional affiliations

Member Northwest Pastel Society. April 2007- present.

Member Portland Plein-Air Society. August 2005-present.

Juried "PLUS" Member, www.ebsqart.com. June 2003-present.

Member Beaverton Arts Commission. Sept. 2000-present.

awards and recognition

Honorable Mention Art Spectrum Colourfix Challenge by Armadillo Art, NPS Lopez Island Plein Air Paintout.

Member’s Choice EBSQART.com Flower of the Month Show, Aug 2007

Jurors’ Choice EBSQART.com Reflections Show, June 2005

Jurors’ Choice EBSQART.com Elements Show, May 2005

Members’ Mention EBSQART.com Flower of the Month Show, April 2005

Members’ Mention EBSQART.com Flower of the Month Show, Feb 2005