Statement for Object Paintings/Still Lifes
As humans we collect objects for various reasons. Whether the reason is function, decoration, sentimentality or some combination, every object in our homes or on our person has an origin, a history, and a meaning. This isn’t to say everything is some sacred artifact but, the objects we surround ourselves with are testaments to our consciousness and our belief systems. Through the process of examining objects and representing them on the picture plane, I blur the lines of objective and subjective and invite the viewer to consider the spiritual aspect of our material world.
As humans we collect objects for various reasons. Whether the reason is function, decoration, sentimentality or some combination, every object in our homes or on our person has an origin, a history, and a meaning. This isn’t to say everything is some sacred artifact but, the objects we surround ourselves with are testaments to our consciousness and our belief systems. Through the process of examining objects and representing them on the picture plane, I blur the lines of objective and subjective and invite the viewer to consider the spiritual aspect of our material world.
Statement for Exteriors/Interiors
My work is about quiet, private moments where encounters with the spiritual may occur and compel us to consider the world beyond what we see and feel. I infuse my images with a loose narrative element that I pull from personal history as well as the beauty and absurdity of the world. The viewer is invited into these interiors and exteriors to sift through objects, colors, figures and spaces that invoke a sense of comfort and familiarity while alluding to the unknown that exists just below the surface. I begin with a vague idea inspired by my surroundings and through the creative process of exerting control and yielding to chance I arrive at an image that often presents more questions than it answers.
My work is about quiet, private moments where encounters with the spiritual may occur and compel us to consider the world beyond what we see and feel. I infuse my images with a loose narrative element that I pull from personal history as well as the beauty and absurdity of the world. The viewer is invited into these interiors and exteriors to sift through objects, colors, figures and spaces that invoke a sense of comfort and familiarity while alluding to the unknown that exists just below the surface. I begin with a vague idea inspired by my surroundings and through the creative process of exerting control and yielding to chance I arrive at an image that often presents more questions than it answers.
Statement for Past Work (2017-2020)
By following the endless journey of a man and a dog through the wilderness, my work explores the spiritual connection between the landscape and the creatures wandering through it. As the travelers move through all aspects of nature, (withered trees, blooming flowers, singing rivers leading to infinite oceans, swirling sunsets and a pre-dawn calm…) patterns of growth and decay, death and rebirth emerge.
Quick, intuitive sketches based on photos and memories are often a starting point for my paintings but, I try not to follow them like a map; instead, my process for creating is akin to wandering down an overgrown trail. From broad, untamed strokes to small, overlapping marks, I let my intuition guide me to light and shadow, form and space, and some scenes where familiarity blooms into the unknown where the consciousness of nature is the only explanation for such a beautiful yet mysterious world.
My titles further enhance this relationship between nature and creature by personifying the environment, allowing it to become the third character alongside the man and the dog. Through this loose and ongoing narrative I encourage the viewer to consider their personal relationship with the natural world around them.
By following the endless journey of a man and a dog through the wilderness, my work explores the spiritual connection between the landscape and the creatures wandering through it. As the travelers move through all aspects of nature, (withered trees, blooming flowers, singing rivers leading to infinite oceans, swirling sunsets and a pre-dawn calm…) patterns of growth and decay, death and rebirth emerge.
Quick, intuitive sketches based on photos and memories are often a starting point for my paintings but, I try not to follow them like a map; instead, my process for creating is akin to wandering down an overgrown trail. From broad, untamed strokes to small, overlapping marks, I let my intuition guide me to light and shadow, form and space, and some scenes where familiarity blooms into the unknown where the consciousness of nature is the only explanation for such a beautiful yet mysterious world.
My titles further enhance this relationship between nature and creature by personifying the environment, allowing it to become the third character alongside the man and the dog. Through this loose and ongoing narrative I encourage the viewer to consider their personal relationship with the natural world around them.
CV
Education:
Salem State University – Bachelor of Arts – 2012
Exhibition History:
2021 – The Square Rabbit Wanderlust -Solo Show- New London, NH
2020 – Belmont Gallery of Art Artful Nature Belmont, MA
2020 – Newton Free Library Wander & Wonder - Solo Show - Newton, MA
2019 – Close Quarters Collective By the Sea - Solo Show - Rockport, MA
2019 – Kathryn Schultz Gallery BLUE Cambridge, MA
2019 – South Cove Center Summer Paintings - Solo Show - Grantham, NH
2019 – University Hall Gallery Spectrum Cambridge, MA
2019 – Provincetown Art Association and Museum Members 12x12 Provincetown, MA
2019 – ReachArts Art on the Walls Swampscott, MA
2019 – Darwin’s Ltd. Recent Work - Solo Show - Cambridge, MA
2019 – The Umbrella Gallery Embracing Diversity in a Climate of Change Concord, MA
2019 – Nextdoor Theater Nature’s Garden - Solo Show - Winchester, MA
2019 – Provincetown Art Association and Museum Members’ Juried Provincetown, MA
2019 – Viridian Artists Inc. 30 Under 30 New York City, NY
2019 – Marblehead Arts Association Variations Marblehead, MA
2019 – University Hall Gallery Material Lamentations: Art, Grief and The Land Cambridge, MA
2019 – Night Shift Brewing A Mystery to Me - Solo Show - Everett, MA
2018 – Cambridge College Viewpoints Charlestown, MA
2018 – ReachArts Anonymous Swampscott, MA
2018 – Arts League of Lowell Journeys Lowell, MA
2018 – Firehouse Center for the Arts Aimlessly Wondering - Solo Show - Newburyport, MA
2018 – Brew’d Awakening Imagined Landscapes - Solo Show - Lowell, MA
2018 – Kathryn Schultz Gallery Emerging Artists Cambridge, MA
2018 – First Congregational Church Stoneham Arts Festival Stoneham, MA
2018 – ReachArts Emerging Swampscott, MA
2018 – 2nd Floor Gallery Arts. Sustain. Ability. Exeter, NH
2018 – The Fuller Cup Discovering the Other - Solo Show - Winchester, MA
2012 – Wormhole Gallery Wormhole Gallery Presents… Salem, MA
2012 – The Winfisky Gallery Honors in Art - Solo Show- Salem, MA
2011 – The Tap Haverhill Art Walk Haverhill, MA
2011 – Springfield Art Museum Art of Printmaking Springfield, MO
2011 – Maryland Federation of Art Art on Paper Annapolis, MD
Publications:
“My Instagram: Dan Brenton” The Boston Globe March 30th 2019 p.B3
Autumn Edition, Issue 14 ArtMaze Magazine 2019 p.107
Awards:
Professional Painting Category. First Place. Stoneham Arts Festival 2018
Mary Schein Fall Salon. Third Place. Cambridge Art Association 2018
Education:
Salem State University – Bachelor of Arts – 2012
Exhibition History:
2021 – The Square Rabbit Wanderlust -Solo Show- New London, NH
2020 – Belmont Gallery of Art Artful Nature Belmont, MA
2020 – Newton Free Library Wander & Wonder - Solo Show - Newton, MA
2019 – Close Quarters Collective By the Sea - Solo Show - Rockport, MA
2019 – Kathryn Schultz Gallery BLUE Cambridge, MA
2019 – South Cove Center Summer Paintings - Solo Show - Grantham, NH
2019 – University Hall Gallery Spectrum Cambridge, MA
2019 – Provincetown Art Association and Museum Members 12x12 Provincetown, MA
2019 – ReachArts Art on the Walls Swampscott, MA
2019 – Darwin’s Ltd. Recent Work - Solo Show - Cambridge, MA
2019 – The Umbrella Gallery Embracing Diversity in a Climate of Change Concord, MA
2019 – Nextdoor Theater Nature’s Garden - Solo Show - Winchester, MA
2019 – Provincetown Art Association and Museum Members’ Juried Provincetown, MA
2019 – Viridian Artists Inc. 30 Under 30 New York City, NY
2019 – Marblehead Arts Association Variations Marblehead, MA
2019 – University Hall Gallery Material Lamentations: Art, Grief and The Land Cambridge, MA
2019 – Night Shift Brewing A Mystery to Me - Solo Show - Everett, MA
2018 – Cambridge College Viewpoints Charlestown, MA
2018 – ReachArts Anonymous Swampscott, MA
2018 – Arts League of Lowell Journeys Lowell, MA
2018 – Firehouse Center for the Arts Aimlessly Wondering - Solo Show - Newburyport, MA
2018 – Brew’d Awakening Imagined Landscapes - Solo Show - Lowell, MA
2018 – Kathryn Schultz Gallery Emerging Artists Cambridge, MA
2018 – First Congregational Church Stoneham Arts Festival Stoneham, MA
2018 – ReachArts Emerging Swampscott, MA
2018 – 2nd Floor Gallery Arts. Sustain. Ability. Exeter, NH
2018 – The Fuller Cup Discovering the Other - Solo Show - Winchester, MA
2012 – Wormhole Gallery Wormhole Gallery Presents… Salem, MA
2012 – The Winfisky Gallery Honors in Art - Solo Show- Salem, MA
2011 – The Tap Haverhill Art Walk Haverhill, MA
2011 – Springfield Art Museum Art of Printmaking Springfield, MO
2011 – Maryland Federation of Art Art on Paper Annapolis, MD
Publications:
“My Instagram: Dan Brenton” The Boston Globe March 30th 2019 p.B3
Autumn Edition, Issue 14 ArtMaze Magazine 2019 p.107
Awards:
Professional Painting Category. First Place. Stoneham Arts Festival 2018
Mary Schein Fall Salon. Third Place. Cambridge Art Association 2018