Fields and Flowers

I have never really considered myself a flower painter. Despite my new Fields and Flowers series, in some ways, I still don't. The individual flowers themselves are not my focal paint. These paintings are really about finding color while creating a sense of place. This series is an important part of my Natural Colors solo Exhibition at the Norfolk Botanical Garden in October and November of 2021. Half of my 22 paintings in this show are part of the Fields and Flowers series including three of which I was able to borrow back from Private Collections for the two month duration of my show. There will be a reception for my Natural Colors how in Baker Hall at the Botanical Gardens on Thursday, October 7th from 4-7PM.

Field of Dreams by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 18x24"

From the beginning of this series farm houses have also found their way into many of my compositions.

Queen Ann's View by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 24x36"

These homes are an important feature of rural life here in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Sometimes I am inspired to just paint the flowers and recently I have begun to combine actual places which inspire me with some of my favorite houses.

Sunflower Magic by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 24x36"

Red Clover Magic by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 26x36"

Spring Carnival by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 24x30"

When possible, I start my paintings on location, often returning multiple days. Usually the finishing touches are done in my studio. One of my favorite times of the year to get outside and paint is in the spring when the Rapeseed (often called Canola) flowers are blooming. The views can take your breath away.

Yellow Days. by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 24x30"

Over the Hill by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 24x30"

In 2020 when the Covid 19 began to impact our lives it was difficult to motivate myself to paint with all of the stress and uncertainty in my life. I finally began working again when I was inspired to paint my interpretation of this scene. I called it Social Isolation.

Social Isolation by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on canvas 36x24"

Last fall I found myself still looking for the beauty around me during trying times. I drove by this old house daily and stopped often to photograph the overgrown field next to the house. My goal is to evoke in the view the particular feeling through my interpretation of the fields and flowers I paint.