ABOUT THE ARTIST
BRENDA M. SYLVIA
Artist's Statement:
The act of painting outside and experiencing nature first hand is an integral part of my work. I am energized by the dynamic beauty of nature and through painting en plein air, I strengthen my connection to a specific place. In 2017, I moved back to Virginia after living and painting in the US Virgin Islands for nine years. Living in the tropics influenced my artwork in many ways and now I am even more obsessed with color! Natural beauty has always been important to my artwork and my life. Here in the Northern Neck, I am once again surrounded by inspiring landscape which is my favorite subject. Whether painting outdoors or in my studio, I strive to create a sense of place in my art. I want the viewer to “see and feel" what I do in my subjects. My paintings here capture the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and rural lifestyle. My work featuring the USVI is closely linked to my experiences with the breath-taking scenery and the culture of the Islands.
I also create whimsical sculptures and installation pieces often incorporating recycled materials.
Education:
Master of Fine Arts, Painting, George Washington University, 2004
Bachelor of Fine Arts, James Madison University, Summa Cum Laude, 1983
The Art League School, Alexandria, VA, Figure Drawing, Anatomy, Landscape Oil Painting
Northern Virginia Community College, Illustration courses
Exhibitions:
Norfolk Botanical Garden, "Natural Colors" Solo Show, Oct and Nov 2021
Reedville Fishermen's Museum, "Beauty by the Bay" Solo Show - Summer 2021
RAL Art Center Gallery, exhibiting artist, Kilmarnock VA - present
Bay School Community Arts Center, Elemental Influence, group show, Aug 2021
Gloucester Arts on Main, “The Summer of Color: Flora and Fauna” group show
Bay School Community Arts Center, Artist of the Month, March 2021
D’Art Gallery, “Unconventional” Juried Show - October 2019, Norfolk, VA
Stewart Gallery, Gloucester, VA - present
Radius250, Artspace, Richmond, VA - March/April 2019
Rappahannock Westminster-Caterbury, Solo Show - March 2019
Morning Glory Gallery, Gloucester, VA, 3-person show - October 2018
Art Speaks Juried Exhibition, Bay School Arts Center - 2018, 2019, and 2020
Gloucester Arts Festival Juried Show, Arts on Main - June 1018
Baho El Sol, St John, USVI, "Island is a World" - January 2017
Caribbean Colour - Life in Yellow, St Thomas, USVI - May 2016
Caribbean Colour - Dream in Green, St Thomas, USVI - March 2015
Defend Paradise! - Pop Up Gallery, St Thomas, USVI - October 2014
Caribbean Colour - Seeing Red, St Thomas, USVI - May 2014
Caribbean Colour - 2 Blue 4 U, St Thomas, USVI - 2013
Caribbean Colour - A Celebration of Color, St Thomas, USVI - 2012
Caribbean Colour - The Feminine Mystique, St Thomas, USVI - June 2011
Caribbean Colour - A Smile is Beautiful in Every Color, USVI - March 2011
Rappahannock Art League, Annual Labor Day Exhibitions
Arts Alive, "Out of Time," 2011 and "Outside the Looking Glass," USVI - 2010
Colorful Corner, St John, USVI - 2010-2011
Pershing Park Gazebo Gallery, Washington, DC, Urban Streams, solo - 2007
Urban Streams , Solo show, GMU Arlington, VA, April/May - 2005
Views of Huntley Meadows, Solo Show, Huntley Meadows Park - 2005
Anonymous Returns , Washington Project for the Arts/Corcoran - 2004
Hand Picked , Museum of Modern Arf, Arlington, VA - 2004
Art-O-Matic , Washington , DC - 2008, 2007, 2004 and 2002
Dimmock Gallery , GWU, MFA Thesis Show - April 2004
RAL Studio Gallery , Kilmarnock , VA - 1999 – Present
Rock Creek Gallery , Washington , DC, four person show - 2000
Dimmock Gallery, Juried Student Shows, spring and fall - 2001-03
Hang-Ups Gallery , Kilmarnock , VA , solo shows - 1997-98
Artists of the Chesapeake , RAL juried exhibition - 1999
Northumberland Library , RAL Two person show, 1998
The Fairfax Art League, Juried Fall Show, 1999
Springfield Art Guild , juried shows, 1995-96, 1998
Adlers Art and Frame , SAG Artist of the Month, December 1997
The Art League , Alexandria , VA , juried Landscape Shows, 1997-98
Central Branch Arlington Library , solo shows, 1986-87
Awards:
Flora and Fauna April 2022 Exhibition at RAL Art Center - First Place
Art in Transit Show 2021, First place award with design wrapped on Bay Transit Bus
RAL Labor Day Show 2021, Marge Alderson Memorial Award for
Best Interpretation of Landscape
RAL Labor Day Show 2019, Viewers Choice Best in Show
Art Speaks Exhibition 2019, Bay School of the Arts, Student’s Choice
RAL Labor Day Show 2018, Viewers Choice Best in Show & 2nd Place Sculpture
Art Speaks Exhibition 2018, Bay School of the Arts, Mathews, Virginia
Gloucester Arts on Main Juried Show, April 2018
RAL Labor Day Show, Jane Stouffer Memorial Award, 2017
Caribbean Colour Shows: Viewer's Choice Award - Best in Show, "Dream in Green" in 2015, "Too Blue 4 U" in 2013, and "A Celebration of Color" 2012
Second Place in 3D, Caribbean Colour 2016
Third Place in 2D, Caribbean Color "Dream in Green" 2012
Best in Show , Rappahannock Art League, 39th Exhibition, 2002
Equal Merit Award , The Art League, Student-Faculty Show
Poster design competition winner, Spotlight on the Arts
Second Place: Fairfax Art League, Annual Spotlight on the Arts
Excellence in Illustration Award: NVCC
Sigma Phi Lambda (Academic Honors Fraternity), JMU
Mango Tango Gallery Shows:
Full time representation at Mango Tango 2010 to present
Two-person Show - April 2019
Solo Show "Beautiful on the Edges" - March 2017
VI Art Divas - January 2016 and February 2015
Holiday Art and Gift Show - October 2014, November 2015
January Art Jamboree, group show, January 2014
Stellar Art, two person show, December 2013
St Thomas - St John Art Jamboree, group show, January 2012
Sleepytime, group show, Yacht Haven Grande, December 2010
Teaching:
Painting I - 2003/2004 at The George Washington University
Acrylic Painting Workshops - RAL, Kilmarnock, VA, 2016 to Present
School of Visual Arts and Careers - Watercolor and Acrylic Painting, 2016/2017, St Thomas, USVI