It's not often you meet someone with an intellect and personality you find entralling and then over time, discover there is so much more...
I've known Brenda for about 10 years. As privaledged as I have been in getting to know the ultra-cool person, I was also privaledged enough to have a job developing and printing images she had taken of her work. In getting to know her on an that entirely different level - I could only give pause (a little bumper between admiration and the inclination of worship), I studied her work and realized that it spoke to me in so many different ways!
I stopped by Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna,Virginia. If you've never been there you really should. It's always been a must see gem in Fairfax County but if you visit there, you will find the most incredible attraction of all - One of Brenda Gordon's exquisite murals gracing the entrance!
I thought that I could do no better with my column here on examiner.com, than to let any one curious or crazy enough to read my musings, know about this local artistic treasure - whom I have been so fortunate to call friend.
I had some questions for Brenda which I thought may be of interest to her many
fans as well as those newly discovering her work. (I was also very curious) I must admit to being a little suprised by the slightly non-glamourous,realism provided in her answers. It's one of the reasons I find her so interesting as a person!
I've known Brenda for about 10 years. As privaledged as I have been in getting to know the ultra-cool person, I was also privaledged enough to have a job developing and printing images she had taken of her work. In getting to know her on an that entirely different level - I could only give pause (a little bumper between admiration and the inclination of worship), I studied her work and realized that it spoke to me in so many different ways!
I stopped by Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna,Virginia. If you've never been there you really should. It's always been a must see gem in Fairfax County but if you visit there, you will find the most incredible attraction of all - One of Brenda Gordon's exquisite murals gracing the entrance!
I thought that I could do no better with my column here on examiner.com, than to let any one curious or crazy enough to read my musings, know about this local artistic treasure - whom I have been so fortunate to call friend.
I had some questions for Brenda which I thought may be of interest to her many
fans as well as those newly discovering her work. (I was also very curious) I must admit to being a little suprised by the slightly non-glamourous,realism provided in her answers. It's one of the reasons I find her so interesting as a person!
The 'interview' went as follows:
MT : What is your earliest memory/awareness of having an interest in the arts? What single moment or event can you cite as having lead to the inspiration of your interest in art? (was it at an early age?)
BG: When I was 2 my appendix ruptured. I spent many days in the hospital. A young boy in the room with me had both his legs broken in a car accident.
My parents brought me some coloring books and crayons to keep me entertained. Every time the Doctor came in to check on the boy he would start screaming and I would color faster and faster. That is my earliest recollection some of that information was told to me by my Mother. I suppose the coloring relieved my stress when the boy screamed. It kept me occupied and all was well.
Later just about beginning High School my father would ask me from time to time "What do you want to do with your life?"
I didn't know, meanwhile I had been drawing the entire time. One day I woke up and said, "I know..I want to be an artist" From that day I worked toward fulfilling my goal.
MT: I've gone and visited some of your artwork available in public display. Your inimatable talent for using color and lighting in creating both dramatic mood and intense message is well known. What is it about a subject or study that attracts you into seeing it potentially as powerful as you will render it on canvas?
BG: Art is about creating a feeling - capturing a moment in time which often exists in the blink of an eye. I'm trying to render what happened when my viewer blinked. To me,long shadows and intense lighting appeals to our my mind's eye. I try to grab that fleeting moment - and create a mood that will speak to the fraction of a second you may have missed. - You never want to miss it - I won't let you.
MT: (laughter) - I know - I know...but still, - you add an incredible amount of detail to subject work which is not inherently there to begin with. Your artwork is a bit risky and avant gaurde in that respect. It takes a chance on the viewer's eye and ability to appreciate the subtleties. You give your viewers alot of credit - are they worthy of it?
MT : What is your earliest memory/awareness of having an interest in the arts? What single moment or event can you cite as having lead to the inspiration of your interest in art? (was it at an early age?)
BG: When I was 2 my appendix ruptured. I spent many days in the hospital. A young boy in the room with me had both his legs broken in a car accident.
My parents brought me some coloring books and crayons to keep me entertained. Every time the Doctor came in to check on the boy he would start screaming and I would color faster and faster. That is my earliest recollection some of that information was told to me by my Mother. I suppose the coloring relieved my stress when the boy screamed. It kept me occupied and all was well.
Later just about beginning High School my father would ask me from time to time "What do you want to do with your life?"
I didn't know, meanwhile I had been drawing the entire time. One day I woke up and said, "I know..I want to be an artist" From that day I worked toward fulfilling my goal.
MT: I've gone and visited some of your artwork available in public display. Your inimatable talent for using color and lighting in creating both dramatic mood and intense message is well known. What is it about a subject or study that attracts you into seeing it potentially as powerful as you will render it on canvas?
BG: Art is about creating a feeling - capturing a moment in time which often exists in the blink of an eye. I'm trying to render what happened when my viewer blinked. To me,long shadows and intense lighting appeals to our my mind's eye. I try to grab that fleeting moment - and create a mood that will speak to the fraction of a second you may have missed. - You never want to miss it - I won't let you.
MT: (laughter) - I know - I know...but still, - you add an incredible amount of detail to subject work which is not inherently there to begin with. Your artwork is a bit risky and avant gaurde in that respect. It takes a chance on the viewer's eye and ability to appreciate the subtleties. You give your viewers alot of credit - are they worthy of it?
BG: Yes! - Absolutely. They are...
MT :(interrupting): - have you ever had to "dumb down" your work to a clients taste?
BG: Not at all... most of my clients go by first impression of a painting - they seem to see it instantly. Although I can't tell you how many times people will call me and say "Wow! - I didn't notice this or I didn't see that and - did you put this in on purpose? " - My paintings grow on the viewer, the more they look the more they see and appreciate. I find personal satisfaction in that - a relationship ... sharing.
MT: How do you see your interpretations years from now? - do you feel you are continually growing and learning as an artist?
BG: Y'know - I look at some of my paintings and all I can think of is how I could've made them better - all I can think about is how I would change it to make it more interesting for the viewer. Other paintings I am still satisfied with, art is constantly a growing process - the more you practice hopefully, - the better you get.
MT: Which single work are you most proud of and why? (including any of your public displays and those on your website).
BG: I have to say The Hershey Park mural at the Chocolate Towne Cafe - 2500 Square feet and 22 feet high completed in 31 days. (it's HUGE! - MT ) When I saw the site in person for the first time I was terrified - " Holly Mackerel ! - what have I gotten myself into? "
All planning and correspondence were elevation drawings, the site was under construction, so when I got there and looked around I almost ( expletive)...(expletive)...(again - expletive!).
That night I called my Dad to get a pep talk, I cried, I was scared to death!
The next day I was on a cherry picker. 31 days later the mural was finished. It came out great. I overcame my fears and produced an award winning mural.
BG: Not at all... most of my clients go by first impression of a painting - they seem to see it instantly. Although I can't tell you how many times people will call me and say "Wow! - I didn't notice this or I didn't see that and - did you put this in on purpose? " - My paintings grow on the viewer, the more they look the more they see and appreciate. I find personal satisfaction in that - a relationship ... sharing.
MT: How do you see your interpretations years from now? - do you feel you are continually growing and learning as an artist?
BG: Y'know - I look at some of my paintings and all I can think of is how I could've made them better - all I can think about is how I would change it to make it more interesting for the viewer. Other paintings I am still satisfied with, art is constantly a growing process - the more you practice hopefully, - the better you get.
MT: Which single work are you most proud of and why? (including any of your public displays and those on your website).
BG: I have to say The Hershey Park mural at the Chocolate Towne Cafe - 2500 Square feet and 22 feet high completed in 31 days. (it's HUGE! - MT ) When I saw the site in person for the first time I was terrified - " Holly Mackerel ! - what have I gotten myself into? "
All planning and correspondence were elevation drawings, the site was under construction, so when I got there and looked around I almost ( expletive)...(expletive)...(again - expletive!).
That night I called my Dad to get a pep talk, I cried, I was scared to death!
The next day I was on a cherry picker. 31 days later the mural was finished. It came out great. I overcame my fears and produced an award winning mural.
More Power to You Brenda! and more power to US! - That award winning mural is now an American icon! - a giant-sized treasure seen by people the world over!
We really are extremely fortunate to have such a uniquely perceptive and prolifically, visionary artist living right here in the Washington DC/Metro area! A person, a puzzle inside the discerning paradox of our own artistic perceptions, a hero constantly capturing the split moments between truth and dream. Asking us if they are indeed one.
Don't take my word for it however, - check out Brenda Gordon for yourself by visiting her website HERE!
I'd like to thank Brenda for her time and consideration. I hope you get a chance to discover the rich, wonderment that is Brenda Gordon Art!!!
Don't take my word for it however, - check out Brenda Gordon for yourself by visiting her website HERE!
I'd like to thank Brenda for her time and consideration. I hope you get a chance to discover the rich, wonderment that is Brenda Gordon Art!!!
2 comments:
nice website
Thanks So Much!
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