I was schooled at Manhattan's Hunter College and received my Master of Arts from SUNY Albany in 1987. Though I grew up in the greater New York City area, it was the quiet of the land and not the city, that captured my heart. My home was a modest brick house squeezed in among others along the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, specifically, Rockaway Beach. My earliest memories are of sand, water, and salt air; at night, as I gazed out from the front porch, I saw a shimmering black skyline, not that of Manhattan, but the vast expanse of the moonlit ocean.
Now, more than 30 years away from the shore, my early life of inhaling natures salty breath comes out in my work. I form soft earth into subtle polished vessels and sculptural wall murals in the quiet of my studio. Instead of using glazes, in this Raku-alternative firing process I experiment with natural materials, polished porcelain and the random markings of fire upon earth, it is known as saggar firing. Like the unpredictability of waves chasing the shoreline, each saggar firing yields surprising results upon the surface of my pots, never are two alike.
I have sold my work at art shows across the country since 1997, I teach workshops nationally and internationally and now I am the proud owner of a contemporary craft, fine art gallery in Gulfport, Florida. Brenda McMahon Gallery represents my work as well as the art work of 12 other local and regional artists. I am proud to say we have some of the finest artwork being created in our region.
As a professional ceramic artist for more than 25 years, my Sculptural Wall Murals have been a big hit. Designed for residential, corporate and hospital facilities nationwide they are textural, dimensional and resilient. To date, I have wall murals in scores of homes and almost a dozen hospitals, including Texas Children's Hospital, Pavilion for Women in Houston and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. I create hundreds of custom wall art pieces for clients across the country. I love the commission process and the relationship that develps between artist & client.
This I know: I love earth, nature, clay, and yoga and I have created a life that supports all of that while growing my heart and expanding my circle around the world. And for that and more, I am eternally grateful!
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
AWARDS AND HONORS
Art galleries for representation (wholesale prices available)
Brenda teaches 'Master Class' workshops nationally & internationally.