About the Artist
Brenda Coldwell
My Art History
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting, whether in the studio or outside “en plein air”, challenges me to let go of pre-conceived ideas of the “thing” I choose to paint.
My choices are made because of a connection with what I see or feel. This connection, could be light, atmosphere, shape, or subject. In the case of my abstract work, a memory, nature, or emotion can be the powerful influence for my work. The goal is to try and convey the essence of what I’m observing or feeling, in a beautiful and thoughtful way.
PROFILE
I grew up in a military family. Being an "army brat" I lived in many places including Missouri, Kentucky, Texas (twice), Germany, Arizona, Georgia, and finally, Tennessee, where I live now, since 1972.
Nature has played a big part in my life. As a child, camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, cooking out, watching the stars, or playing outside until well after dark, was all part of growing up with parents that liked to play. Painting, drawing, sewing, and making crafts were my passion. As an adult, I enjoy being active through regular exercise, hiking, playing golf, gardening, and travel.
For 17 years my career was in nursing. I revisited love of art by taking an oil painting class and then a pastel class. I am now painting in oils, and continue to learn something new every time I pick up a brush!
EXPERIENCE
I came to painting later in life, but have developed a passion for it, and now a career. I paint almost every day. My medium is oil, and occasionally gouache, and cold wax. I use a variety of tools when I paint including brushes, a variety of pallette knifes, cardboard, bowl scrappers, metal scrub pads, and various tools that I've made. I've learned that abstract painting crosses over to representational, and vice-versa, and this has helped me to convey what I see in a good way. I have taken workshops and classes over the years and now mentor with Dawn E. Whitelaw-AISM and Larry Moore. I will continue to learn, educate, and push myself by taking workshops with the artists I admire. I'm an active member in the Chestnut Group (local plein air group) and love painting outside with the group when I can.
I have built a working studio that has six art studios within. This shared space is conducive to learning, growth, and support from an incredible group of professional artists. On Track Studios has a common work area, and a workshop area where a variety of workshops, open studio, and classes are held. I bring local, as well as nationally acclaimed artists, to teach here at the studio. In 2018 the ARC Approved “Cumberland Atelier” was started. At present the Atelier has class every Tuesday. “On Track” is located on 2 acres in the rural Tennessee landscape. There is plenty of room for painting “en plein air”, and just enjoying the outdoors. I’m learning how to run a business, and developing my own career as an artist.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
In 2021, I was juried into OPA’s (Oil Painters of America) National Show. One result of this was an opportunity to participate in an “artist in residency” at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. I spent the entire month of September there. I painted en plein air for 28 days. When I wasn’t painting outside, I was in my little studio painting abstracts. The landscape there was magnificent! I was totally immersed for that month and came away a better artist and a changed woman. I will continue to paint in the west when the opportunity presents itself…every year!
PLEIN AIR EVENTS
JUNE 2018
PAINT CEDARBURG
JULY 24-30 2022
DRIGGIS PLEIN AIR
One of 70 artists participating at this event in Driggs, Idaho.
ARTIST ON LOCATION KNOXVILLE
APRIL 2023
PLEIN AIR EVENT JUDGE
RENAISSANCE ON MAIN-PAINT THE TOWN IN ADAMSVILLE, TN
OCTOBER 14 2023
ART SHOWS
Two Plus Two at On Track Studios 2017
Myself, Mike Sowers, Ed Routon, and Marci Hicks featured in this week long art show.
John P. Holt Library Exhibit x 2
#1 “All About Tennessee” Representational Paintings of Tennessee, including landscape and still life in 2018
#2 “Abstracts, Landscapes, and Still Life..Oh my!” in 2020
The Scottish Highlands 2020
Oil paintings inspired from a painting trip to Scotland.
Myself, Karen Philpott, and Beverly Ford Evans
Ghost Ranch Exhibit at On Track Studios
Solo Show
In 2021, I was juried into OPA’s (Oil Painters of America) Salon Show. One result of this was an opportunity to participate in an “artist in residency” at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. I spent the entire month of September there. I painted en plein air for 28 days. When I wasn’t painting outside, I was in my little studio painting abstracts. The landscape there was magnificent! I was totally immersed for that month
I exhibited over 73 paintings, most of them being plein air. I had a video of my experience and held two discussions on my experience, along with a luncheon that I prepared.
I’ve participated in multiple shows with the Chestnut Group, and various fund raisers to help victims of floods and disasters.
AWARDS
2006 “Canning Time”, pastel, won the Juanita Green Parks Award at the Tennessee Art League’s Central South Art Exhibit
2010 “Spiritual Rags To Riches”,won first place in pastel category, in The Artist’s Magazine Annual All Media Competition
2013 “Two O’Clock Garden”, oil, won Honorable Mention at the Cumberland Society Juried Exhibit. Peggy Kroll Roberts judged show.
2018 “Yellow Joy” won Best Use Of Color And Light in the NOAPS (national oil and acrylic painters society)
2024 "Fresh In Tuscany" won an Award Of Exellence in the 34th Annual Best Of America International Exhibition 2024
JURIED SHOW ACCEPTANCE
2001-Tennessee Art League (TAL) “Canning Time”
2007- Tennessee Art League “Verdegris” pastel
2012-Tennessee Art League “Ideas Pouring In” pastel
2012-Emerald Spring Exhibition, Springfield OR, “Holstein Family Portrait” paste
2012-Southeastern Pastel Society International Juried Exhibit, “Jester” pastel
2013-Southeastern Pastel Society Members Juried Exhibit, “Patiently Waiting” and “Velvet Jacket”, both in pastel
2013-Cumberland Society Juried Exhibit, “Two O’clock Garden”, oil
2018-NOAPS Spring On Line International Exhibit, “Yellow Joy”, oil
2020-Oil Painters of America(OPA)National Juried Exhibition, “Yellow Joy”, oil
2020-12th Biennial National Art Exhibit at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, FL. “Bountiful Market”, oil
2021-AIS (American Impressionist Society)Associate Members Show, “Feels Like The Holidays”, oil
2021-OPA Salon Show, “Snow Glow”, oil
2022-AIS Annual Associate Members Online Exhibition, "End Of Summer",oil on primed wood.
2022- Cincinnati Art Club ViewPoint 54 Exhibition, "On Track" , oil on canvas 30 x 30 Will be on display at Eisele Gallery.
2023-AIS "Wild Radnor" was accepted American Impressionist Society’s 4th Annual All Member Online Exhibition.
2024-NOAPS Best Of American International Exhibition "Fresh In Tuscany" 20 x 20 oil.
2025-NOAPS Spring On Line Show-'Mist of Five Mile Creek" 15 x 30 oil.
2026 "Goat Day" accepted in NOAPS Associate Members On-Line exhibition.
ARTICLES
2000 The Tennessean -"Former Nurse helps youths learn of arts" Tennessean Volunteer of the Week.
2010 Williamson Herald-Local artist’s pastel wins award.
2020 Williamson Herald-Brentwood Library revives monthly art exhibits featuring Brenda Coldwell.
2020 American Art Magazine-Talking about inspiration for “Yellow Joy”.
2025 Nashville Voyager-Life and Work with Brenda Coldwell of Franklin, TN https://nashvillevoyager.com/interview/life-work-with-brenda-coldwell-of-franklin
MEMBERSHIPS
The Chestnut Group (local plein air group in Tennessee)
AIS (Impressionist Society of America)
Portrait Society of America
OPA (Oil Painters of America)
NOAPS (National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society)
