Gallery Member Brenda Gay will give a talk about her artist academic journey to complement her solo show currently on display in the gallery from noon to 1 pm, Wednesday, September 14. The talk will cover her academic journey—from materials used to how she was able to train the eyes to see and the hands to translate. She will also delve into best archival practices for painting and how to ensure with today’s best practices that your work will be around for a while. Due to the small space masks are requested and expected.
While the making of art has always been her passion, Brenda decided to feed and follow that passion eight years ago. She began by taking some workshops and classes. During that time, she took a weeklong immersion Plein Air workshop with Mary Erickson and Donald Demers at Port Clyde. It was during this class when attempting to render rocks, she said she committed to seek traditional, formal training. Thus began her journey at The Academy of Realist Art in Boston. She studied in person for two years, spending 30-40 hours a week at Bargue and Cast work, and about 25 hours a week in studio with live models. Then she spent the next two years putting in the same, if not more time and taking classes via zoom at home. It was like basic training for artists, and she says “I was delightedly frustrated! “
The school bases its program upon the approach formulated by Charles Bargue and Jean-Leon Gerome, which was solely informed by the classic training dating further back than the time of Titian.
Also Happening!
Eastport Gallery celebrated Eastport for the 37th year on September 3rd by showcasing local artist’s work at the Paint Eastport Day auction and reception at the Eastport Arts Center. Gallery members cooked up some delicious culinary treats as well as lovely artwork and along with community artists, presented the joy of living in and near Eastport on the walls. A good time was had by all! The celebration continues with additional art showcased online in a Virtual Gallery and Sale from September 4 through September 18.
The Gallery is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and closed on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To learn about more upcoming events and to view the Gallery’s current virtual show as well as Paint Eastport, Part Deux Online, visit eastportgallery.com.
The work of Eastport Arts Center is funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.