Art, Math and the Good Sister Mary Francis
As far back as I can remember, I have drawn and painted faces. In fact, there is much evidence pointing to the fact that I spent an inordinate amount of time drawing Sister Mary Francis in 3rd Grade instead of paying attention in math class. But recently, I've been more interested in deconstructing the architecture of the face to see how far I can abstract it and still capture the intangible human qualities.
I am drawn to rich, vibrant color and a whimsical, narrative approach to painting. My characters are quirky people painted with a sense of sophistication. The backgrounds of my paintings are typically thick, saturated pigment applied with a palette knife. I then draw back into the paint with symbols and words adding a linear and textural quality to the surface. I sometimes even include those elusive math symbols.
Sister Mary Francis would be proud.
Bio
Brenda York has over 25 years of experience in the visual arts. She graduated from Arizona State University with a BFA and has continued her education in the studio arts at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, La Jolla Athenaeum and Idyllwild Arts.
Her work in illustration and graphic design has been a major influence on her painting career. Ms. York’s ability to create compelling compositions as well as striking colors are a direct result of her years studying and working in design and illustration.
She is a member of The San Diego Art Institute, The Athenaeum, The Daily Painters Gallery, Daily PaintWorks and Idyllwild Art Alliance.
Ms. York’s paintings are included in collections across the country. Born in the Midwest, she now happily lives and paints in Southern California.
Solo Exhibitions
2018
New Work, Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2013
Lovers And Strangers, Idyll Awhile Gallery, Idyllwild, CA
2012
Fairy Tales And Other Lies, Via Fine Art, San Diego, CA
2011
Fairy Tales v2, Distinction Gallery, Escondido, CA
2010
Long Story Short, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA
New Work, Cygnet Theater Gallery, San Diego, CA
2009
Heads Above, Seacrest Village Gallery, Encinitas, CA
Fairy Tales and Strange Birds, Bread & Cie, San Diego, CA
2007
Moonstruck Chronicles, Indigo Gallery, San Diego, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019
New Currencies, Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, Lafayette, CA
2018
Home & Harvest, Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA, First Place
Seventeen on Being Seventeen, William D Canon Gallery, Carlsbad, CA
Going Green, juror, Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2016
Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Third Place
2013
Shouts + Whispers, India Street Gallery, San Diego, CA
2012
Unframed, Via Fine Art, San Diego, CA
SDAI Regional Juried, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA, Jurors Choice
2011
Passion6, Noel Baza Gallery, San Diego, CA
SDAI Regional Juried, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA
2010
Temptation6, Noel Baza Gallery, San Diego, CA
2009
A Show Of Heads, Limner Gallery, New York, NY
1 Foot Show, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA
2008
17th Annual Juried Exhibition, Athenaeum, La Jolla, CA
Opposites Attract, The Arts Alliance, Houston TX
California Juried Exhibition, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA
Regional Juried Exhibition, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA
Press
SD Voyager, 2018
Thalia Magazine, 2018
Abstract Painting, a Celebration of Contemporary Art, 2017
The Artists Magazine, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
heART Magazine
San Diego Home|Garden
Art Calendar Magazine
Studio Visit
American Art Collector Magazine