End of Year Notes
I will be wrapping up the studio work for the year in the next week- one final commission to go before Christmas.
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who collected my work or encouraged me thru sharing it on social media this year.
Demo Night at Twisted Olive- Thanks for checking in with me Jenny!
A few highlights-
Our workshop at Gallery840- especially meaningful to me now that the directors have closed the business to pursue creating more art. Several local artists came to mentor and discuss with a group of artists the challenges of critiques, finding your voice, and finding God thru creating. I am grateful for the time together- it lifted me and I met new colleagues to stay connected with.
Solo Shows at Twisted Olive and Cafe the Lodge in Bethlehem. First, Twisted Olive that not only allowed me to showcase my work at their fantastic restaurant, but also allowed me an evening to demonstrate my techniques at a live painting demo. Be sure to stop by there for a delicious meal. Next was Cafe the Lodge, where my work was featured in their meeting space- Thank you to the new collector who took home “Take Flight” from the show.
I am also enjoying my time in Nazareth and participating in shows at the Center for the Arts- The space hosts classes, musical performances, poetry sessions- and also open nights for figure drawing. I was able to begin doing figurative work again thanks to having a model available. The space is in a converted firehouse on Belvidere Street and is spacious but intimate- really one of my favorite places to meet for all things art.
ACE in Easton has allowed me to break out my largest works for their last two member shows- My 48”x60” “Into the Woods” was on display last month; my portrait of Vanessa is now there for the “Act Two” Member show. This is located at the State Theatre in Easton, PA.
“Here and There,
and Back Again”
Solo Show at Cafe the Lodge
I am happy to report also several pieces of work were purchased by Erie Insurance for the new corporate offices locally. Anyone can go to a store and buy prints— but to get work from local artists that reflect the area is a more meaningful way to decorate a space. It supports the local economy, and also brings a human touch to a corporate space. Many, many thanks for the opportunity! Thank you to my corporate collectors!
Lehigh Art Alliance with their partnership with the Bethlehem Historical Society has been another highlight for my work- I had two pieces sell at auction to benefit the Society, and I am thankful for the invitation to help support them. I was also a part of the invitation only art show featuring past and contemporary artists in the Lehigh Valley on the first floor of the Luchenbach Mill. Most recently, I had two pieces accepted to the Winter Members Show- the opening for that is December 15th, in Bethlehem at the Mill. 2025 is looking to be a great year for Bethlehem with the new UNESCO designation.
A special thanks to my husband, Karl- who 7 years ago decided frames cost too much and would learn to build them for me. From those first frames crafted on our kitchen island, we have now moved to a new residence with a two story, double door barn that he can use for his woodshop. More space for more tools and more frames! For my part- he sometimes lets me sand- but I have found I enjoy handcarving wood into little sculptures. It’s a change of pace from painting and lets me use a different part of my brain.
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”
Life has it’s challenges to balance us out, of course.
I would be remiss not to mention the challenges of this election year. The pain and heartache I saw in my friends and family was hard to bear. It was sometimes easier to check out of social media than to face what was happening in the world. But we keep creating. Artists picked up working again- and life rolls on- not without its hurts along the way.
Some plans I had for a stand alone studio are on a pause while space is being worked on. I also had several moments over the year where I questioned if being an artist was really what I was supposed to be doing. I suppose that if I didn’t sometimes question it, I would never challenge myself to be a better artist. It can be crushing to look around at 8 years of work and wonder if it means anything at all, and if I would have been better suited to a 9-5 job somewhere. I have decided to have faith that God put me where I am at this moment in history for a reason, with the talents he also gave me- and whatever use I can give them, it’s my job to continually improve on the skills. So I will keep creating, come what may of it all.
Thank you all again for the support to keep painting. I am looking forward to 2025 and new projects ahead!
Seasons Greetings and New Year Blessings to all!
-Brenda
