It is with great pleasure that I introduce my dear friend, Brenda Sipe!
Brenda, originally from Berne, Indiana, is an artist whose works with both traditional and explorative materials are heavily influenced by nature. Her interests and background in fiber and 3-dimensional design have merged in recent sculptures literally “woven” from nature. She works equally fluently with paint, on fiber, canvas, and paper. Her work evolves experimentally with pieces being reworked multiple times to achieve the final result. Her focus is on the metaphors inherent in the work, which lead her to goals of clarity of vision and purpose.
Brenda has a B.F.A. in Painting from Grand Valley State University, and a M.F.A. in Painting from Michigan State University. She teaches art whenever possible to all ages, and is currently director of
continuing studies at Kendall College of Art and Design.
I was delighted when Brenda accepted my invitation to write a guest post for my blog! I hope you find insight and inspiration from her as I do!
Brenda, originally from Berne, Indiana, is an artist whose works with both traditional and explorative materials are heavily influenced by nature. Her interests and background in fiber and 3-dimensional design have merged in recent sculptures literally “woven” from nature. She works equally fluently with paint, on fiber, canvas, and paper. Her work evolves experimentally with pieces being reworked multiple times to achieve the final result. Her focus is on the metaphors inherent in the work, which lead her to goals of clarity of vision and purpose.
Brenda has a B.F.A. in Painting from Grand Valley State University, and a M.F.A. in Painting from Michigan State University. She teaches art whenever possible to all ages, and is currently director of
continuing studies at Kendall College of Art and Design.
I was delighted when Brenda accepted my invitation to write a guest post for my blog! I hope you find insight and inspiration from her as I do!
Here’s how a public art event inspired me to begin creating again, and to create the largest works I have ever made, far larger than I thought I could make.
On a morning in April 2009 the gallery director at Kendall College of Art and Design where I work asked me to attend “an important secret announcement” in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was assembled with a curious group of about 30 people and members of the media when Rick DeVos unveiled his plan for ArtPrize, the world’s largest art competition, where the top awards are determined by a public vote.
My “art school” mind wondered if a public vote was such a good idea. But more importantly, would I have the nerve to create a piece, or find a venue to display it? With a son only 2 ½ years old and a full-time job, I did not possess a recent “cohesive body of work” like I knew I needed to succeed as an artist.
That first year I collaborated on an installation with a group of women, “The Abracada-Bra Project” with reinvented bras as the theme. This taught me that 1) I could still make art and 2) I could make art that made
people laugh. I also learned that I really enjoyed working three-dimensionally.
(Check out The ABRAcada-BRA Project Facebook page here!)
Near the end of ArtPrize 2009 I awoke one morning from a dream in which I pictured a large bird cage filled with a variety of colorful birds, and I envisioned it placed near the Grand River. I also realized that I could incorporate the work of children into the piece. So “Birds of a Feather”began.
Finding a venue in ArtPrize is like joining a dating service. I had several offers for placement of “Birds of a
Feather” within the first 3 days of matching. I accepted the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel because they were curated by Oxbow School of Art and offered me a spot near the river. During the summer of 2010 I learned what willow saplings looked like, where to find them, and how to harvest them. I also made clay birds with
171 children.
On a morning in April 2009 the gallery director at Kendall College of Art and Design where I work asked me to attend “an important secret announcement” in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was assembled with a curious group of about 30 people and members of the media when Rick DeVos unveiled his plan for ArtPrize, the world’s largest art competition, where the top awards are determined by a public vote.
My “art school” mind wondered if a public vote was such a good idea. But more importantly, would I have the nerve to create a piece, or find a venue to display it? With a son only 2 ½ years old and a full-time job, I did not possess a recent “cohesive body of work” like I knew I needed to succeed as an artist.
That first year I collaborated on an installation with a group of women, “The Abracada-Bra Project” with reinvented bras as the theme. This taught me that 1) I could still make art and 2) I could make art that made
people laugh. I also learned that I really enjoyed working three-dimensionally.
(Check out The ABRAcada-BRA Project Facebook page here!)
Near the end of ArtPrize 2009 I awoke one morning from a dream in which I pictured a large bird cage filled with a variety of colorful birds, and I envisioned it placed near the Grand River. I also realized that I could incorporate the work of children into the piece. So “Birds of a Feather”began.
Finding a venue in ArtPrize is like joining a dating service. I had several offers for placement of “Birds of a
Feather” within the first 3 days of matching. I accepted the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel because they were curated by Oxbow School of Art and offered me a spot near the river. During the summer of 2010 I learned what willow saplings looked like, where to find them, and how to harvest them. I also made clay birds with
171 children.
Here Brenda helps Sylvia Luciani, 8, mold a bird for her project. Photo courtesy of Karen Waite.
The piece ended up weighing about 600 pounds, was 11 feet tall and about 6 feet in diameter! It required a
very strong and clever group of people to move it when ArtPrize was over.
During 2011, I have continued working with the theme that began with “Birds of a Feather” and images and ideas from the poem by Maya Angelou, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. I have been a visiting artist for the YWCA’s “Stand Against Racism” and have shown a slightly smaller cage at Lansing City Streets. During ArtPrize this fall, “Sing”, made from steel, branches, clay and wire, was suspended from the portico at Fountain Street Church for their exhibit with the American Civil Liberties Union. I am happy to say that “Sing” received many popular votes to place in the Top 25 of the district where it was shown. Though
approximately the same size as “Birds of a Feather”, “Sing” weighs only around 100 pounds, making it a joy to move!
Brenda Sipe's "Sing" at Fountain Street Church:
very strong and clever group of people to move it when ArtPrize was over.
During 2011, I have continued working with the theme that began with “Birds of a Feather” and images and ideas from the poem by Maya Angelou, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. I have been a visiting artist for the YWCA’s “Stand Against Racism” and have shown a slightly smaller cage at Lansing City Streets. During ArtPrize this fall, “Sing”, made from steel, branches, clay and wire, was suspended from the portico at Fountain Street Church for their exhibit with the American Civil Liberties Union. I am happy to say that “Sing” received many popular votes to place in the Top 25 of the district where it was shown. Though
approximately the same size as “Birds of a Feather”, “Sing” weighs only around 100 pounds, making it a joy to move!
Brenda Sipe's "Sing" at Fountain Street Church:
There are many ideas percolating now, partly deriving from my own work, but also from the excellent pieces of art I viewed around town during ArtPrize. I am excited to see what will be next.
Connect with Brenda at:
Her website: http://www.brendasipe.com/
Facebook:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/brendasipe
Her website: http://www.brendasipe.com/
Facebook:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/brendasipe
