The Artwork of Denise Brown - The Trail of Painted Ponies

Artist Statement
Growing up next to several horse farms in Rye, NH, I have a longtime love of
horses. With years of observation and study behind me, I have strived to
become a master of painting the horse. As a result, I have developed a keen
understanding of the structure, anatomy, and movement of the horse and their
complicated harnesses to depict the horse’s strength and beauty. When I
paint, it is like putting on a horse show in my mind. I also have a strong
knowledge and background of painting architectural subjects, landscapes,
seascapes, florals, figures, and skies. I usually incorporate many of these
components into my paintings to relate to each particular horse. The horse’s
harness and equipment are highlights of my paintings. I have developed a
technical skill and a great interest in the complexity of the leather and
chains wrapped around these animals. I am continually amazed to see how thin
straps of leather attempt to control such powerful creatures. I strive to
portray the horse’s value and role in building the world that mankind has
developed. I usually select draft horse breeds as my major subjects.

Working Process: I do long detailed studies to accurately depict anatomy,
structure, and harness construction. Then I do several quick sketches for
composition and colors before I start on an equine painting canvas. The face
and eyes are the most importance part of my painting in order to build the
horse’s character and ‘soul’’. Then I decide what components might best tell
the story about the particular horse or breed — what colors, lighting, and
setting will work together. Once I am satisfied with the story and the
pieces that compliment it, I jump in and work on the painting for several
hour sessions for 1-2 months, often looking at the painting off and on, all
day long, as I work on something else. I go to sleep and wake up thinking
about what needs to be done on the horse to make it look alive and ready to
jump off the canvas.

Direction of My Art: I graduated from the University of NH in 1976 with a
self-designed major in Fine Art, Commercial Art, and Marketing. It was a
serious start to a lifetime of artwork. I have created illustrations and
paintings for many of my clients and collectors. I have made a living
supporting myself as a self-employed artist since 1980, often working 60-80
hours plus a week. Building my life around my artwork, I am also a graphic
artist and photographer. I am constantly trying to improve my skills as an
artist.

My goal is to become a recognized national equine artist. I plan to promote
this project in exhibits, build a commissioned art business, and eventually
be accepted into major art museums as a master equine artist.

Bio

A seacoast New Hampshire native, I am a watercolor/acrylic artist living in Portsmouth, NH. Landscapes, animals (especially horses, cats, dogs) and
architecture are my favorite subjects. I grew up next to horse farms and open fields in Rye, NH. Many of my paintings are on location en plein air, capturing a sense of place and color. I love to paint on location anywhere, especially at the ocean or in the Caribbean. I have been commissioned formany pet portraits, house portraits and architectural renderings in watercolors and pen and ink for the past 25 years.

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1976, with a self designed art degree including drawing, painting, sculpting, architectural rendering, and marketing. My advisor/art professor was John Hatch. His watercolors and his personality motivated my art career. I was fortunate to travel to the Caribbean with John, his wife and 18 other adventurers when we saw the British Virgin Islands from the Romance, a 110 ft. Brigantine. I have studied with many well known artists: Robert Steedman, Zoltan Szabo, Christopher Schink, Steven Quiller, Charlie Goodhue, Robert Chase, Art Balderacci, and local instructors.

In 2004, I was commissioned to paint the birds of Peru for Amazonia Lodge, a bird refuge in Peru. I also painted the birds of Jamaica which is to be used on t-shirts as a scholarship fundraiser in Jamaican elementary schools. In 2005 my artwork was selected for a holiday bulb as a fundraiser for the town of Durham, NH for their holiday parade and lighting. I have been drawing and painting animals, landscapes and architectural subjects all of my life. I am a member of the New Hampshire Art Association, Great Bay Art Association and Seacoast Artists Association and have exhibited paintings at many regional venues, art galleries, art shows and street fairs. One-woman show at Discover Portsmouth Center in Portsmouth NH, Buyer's Broker's of the Seacoast in Portsmouth, Gallery Tactora in Kittery, Maine. I organize the Fuller Foundation’s Fuller Gardens Annual Art Show, Fairy House Tour Artists Exhibit, and a judge at the Hampton Beach NH Sand Sculpting Competition. I am a graphic designer, photographer, and have illustrated children's books and coloring books. Art is my life. I am a tropical fish hobbyist and avid gardener.

2010 Highlights

Group Exhibit, NH Art Association Lincoln Levy Gallery, "Brushstrokes: Oil and Acrylic
Group Show, Paradise Gallery Kittery
'Horse Power’ Series Project,
Juried member into New Hampshire Art Association
Group Show Great Bay Artist Association, ‘Horse Power’ Series
Group Show Children’s Museum, “Food”, Salmon Falls Pottery
Market Square Day Booth
Judge, Hampton Beach 2010 NH Sand Sculpture Competition
Winner of Bayberry Vintage Auto Art Contest
Runner Up in Vermont Photography Contest ‘Flight’
York Showhouse featured artist, Joyce Jordan Display Room
NHAA Group Show July, Behind the Scenes & Mighty Tim
Organizer & Exhibitor of Fuller Gardens Art Show in North Hampton, NH
Organizer & Exhibitor of Fairy House Artists Exhibit,Tyco Building,
Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, NH
Buyer’s Brokers Solo Show Oct/Nov/Dec ‘Panorama Steeple’

Art Projects

One of 20 Finalists in the Trail of Painted Ponies National Art Contest 2006- Eleventh in the country and the only New England artist in the finalist group. See www.trailofpaintedponies.com for more information.
Divine Cuisines International Restaurant — Painted Murals on 4 walls of international scenes
7 foot tall Giraffe for International Festival at UNH — Design,Construction, (wood, wire, and paper mache materials) and Acrylic Painting of Giraffe
Sand Sculpture Judge at 2005 & 2007, 2008 & 2009
Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Contest with
internationally known sculptors
Children's Book Artist and Designer of
7 books and coloring books
(themes: famous horses - Humane Society; smoking - Samantha Skunk; cats - Ted the Cat, children’s tourist spots - Chamber of Commerce, learning about money and banking for children - Service Credit Union, what happens when you go to the hospital - Darmouth-Hitchcock Hospital)
“Abenaki, the Indian Pony” children’s book self published and illustrated
Adult art demo guest artist
Children’s Camp Workshop Art Instructor
Graphic Designer since 1975 — logos, t-shirts, signs, posters, banners, ads, brochures, trade show items and booths, and anything printable.
(I understand deadlines, computer graphics, and marketing.)
Owner of ad-cetera graphics in Portsmouth, NH
House, architecture, people and pet portrait artist (watercolor painting,acrylics, pen and ink)
I have been drawing and painting animals, landscapes and architectural subjects all of my life.