I am mad for my latest Artist Spotlight Series feature.

Her mixed media pieces are mesmerizingly magical. 

Enjoy getting to know this talented Texan.

Brenda Bogart

Dallas, Texas

What is your training? 

My daughter Stephanie was preparing a portfolio to apply to Parsons when we audited several painting and drawing classes together at our local university. We were viewing slides in one of those classes of Diebenkorn’s tomato with a knife painting. There was something about that painting that ignited my passion to create. I knew I had to find a way to do art the rest of my life.

📷 Rebecca Roberts Photography

Until that transforming encounter with Richard Diebenkorn’s tomato painting, the major focus of my career had been interior design.

I had a really exciting job in the 80’s and 90’s, designing resort hotel properties for Trisha Wilson. The favorite and longest running project of my design career was designing the Broadmoor Hotel with my friend Martha Maclay Sweezey. We designed the Broadmoor from 1986 to 1998. Twelve years! I have so many great memories from that project.

The last ten years of my design career, I owned and operated my own small firm. Following a major life change in my mid 40’s, I laid down my design business to pursue art full time. I audited every painting and drawing class at SMU in Dallas for several years, until the classes got in the way of my actual art work. Those days at SMU were heaven to me. I learned from the best of the best, Mary Vernon and Barnaby Fitzgerald, and made some life long friendships.

What inspires you and your designs?

Actually my greatest inspiration comes from looking at and observing art, going to the museum, and reading art books. Another great source of inspiration for me is being with other artists at workshops. My favorite artist sanctuary is Anderson Ranch in Snowmass, Colorado. It is the only place in the world where I can be just an artist.

The papers I collect for my work from around the world inspire me as well. I have rescued collage material from a muddy puddle in a Lowe’s parking lot, a piece of peeling paint from a public trash can in front of the Supreme Court building, and countless trips to flea markets near and far.

My other major source of inspiration comes from the human face, and the stories behind those faces. I am always moved by the power one person has to heal or harm. That is one of my strongest reasons for painting and collaging real people. Good guys and bad. I want to remind people of the power each one of us has to heal or harm and how we should use that power carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully.

What is your favorite piece? 

I have two, Jimi Hendrix and “Dictators and other Dicks”.

Another favorite is Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.

How has the your area influenced your work?

I have lived in Texas all my life, and we live on the most beautiful property full of trees and wildlife. The curb-less tree canopied road that leads to our home is very calming. Especially the winter scape when you can clearly see trees architectural structure. The cold branches against the winter sky, the patterns they make on the road. My granddaughter and I collect rocks and shells at the creek behind our home. Here is something she made just this week after a creek adventure.

What is your favorite restaurant in Dallas?

Mesero at Inwood Village

What is your favorite cocktail?

A sightly melted frozen margarita!

How do you balance personal life and work?

This is not hard for me. I love my down time and I also I look forward to getting back to my studio. We have a very full life with family and friends. However, Monday is my favorite day of the week. But…if it has been several days since I have been in my studio I do get a little cranky.

Dream trip?

Anywhere with my husband, adult kids, and their families. Oh and if it’s 75 degrees, low humidity, and no mosquitos that helps too!

Right now I am craving the beach and Spa in Tulum at the Be hotel.

Our favorite vacation was in the Dominican Republic with my daughter and son in law. They spent the summer there for their honeymoon and we joined them for a week. We spent slow days playing cards on the beach under an open air terrace and snorkeling in the turquoise water.

I really just like to be anywhere with my husband and family and I’m a happy girl!

Exploring a new city is super exciting to me too.

Dream commission?

This is a tough question and I am just going to be very frank. I’m not that good at commissions. I kind of suck at them. They intimidate me and alter my creative flow. I am trying to please the client and not me, the artist. I am rarely able to get past that, and therefore rarely satisfied with the end result. This is why I don’t take many commissions at all. It doesn’t matter how many times the client says, “do whatever you want” because they really do have an expectation and vision for what they want. I should probably get some help for this. Ha! 

(FYI – I totally agree)

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

My daughters perfume (@Bibliotecadelujo) It means “fancy library.” She and my son in law are public school teachers and this is her side hustle!

Who is your style icon?

I don’t think I really have one. I’ve never been able to get into fashion magazines. I have lived in my body long enough to know what I think looks good on me and is comfortable. I love beautiful clothes but I spend most of my days in my jeans and a white top, athletic wear, or paint clothes. When I’m not in those items, I am usually in a long flowy dress.

I start most days on a walk with my husband and two beagles, a kettle bell training session or a bike ride around the little lake near our house. Then I’m in the studio all day unless I’m at my framers, printer, or gallery. When my husband comes home we make dinner and spend the evening in our back yard watching the sun set, feeding the fish, and talking about our day. So I am seldom out of clothes that would keep my from doing all that.

This pandemic has brought a wonderful rhythm to my days that I craved on the other side of this. My husband has way more energy than me and would love to do something every night. It is not unusual for us to entertain 3 nights a week. I love the intimacy of small gatherings around the table or fire pit. I don’t know what all this has to do with my style icon! I guess I just don’t really have one.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

Anne-Sophie Tschiegg – She is not exactly “up and coming” because she is a very established artist. But she is my favorite living artist.

What is your most treasured possession?

My white leather Eames chair,

My iPad mini

My home

What are you reading?

I love non fiction. I usually listen to books on tape about all sorts of people I am interested in.

Entrepreneurs, navy seals, everyday people and their stories.

But every morning I read these three books:

The Bible

New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp

And anything by Henri Nouwen

I can spend up to two hours a morning reading and praying. I love that time of day, watching for the first light when the world is quiet.

What are you listening to?

I listen to podcasts and books on tape while in my studio. More so than music.

Here’s my daily line up:

Gospel in Life with Tim Keller
Eric Metaxas Talks
How I built this with Guy Raz
Cheryl Scruggs thriving beyond belief
Message from Mom by Whitney Williams Rowell
The Joe Rogan Experience
The Dr Laura program

When I am in my car or riding my bike, I listen to 70’s rock and roll. That list of favorite music is very long!

What are your favorite blogs / publications?

My days are so full with work, exercise, entertaining, teaching, and family. My husband and I lead newly married small groups one to two nights a week, so I am usually reading a book or lesson we are about to teach. There’s not much time left to read anything else. I think that is why I like to learn while I am working. It is in essence my “reading” time.

Here are the things that are giving me energy right now:

I am very passionate about giving back. Something fun I love doing is teaching a collage workshop twice a year at Jubilee Park & Community Center. It is a revitalized neighborhood here in Dallas and we teach the workshops right there in the heart of their community. All workshop proceeds are given directly to Jubilee by the participants as a donation. We raise 20k a day at those workshops and it is the most fun day! I’ve met the sweetest people and have had a blast teaching.

The other thing that is giving me tons of energy right now, during this pandemic, is a campaign to raise over $100,000.00 for the North Texas Food Bank, member of Feeding America. I have included all the particulars about this below if you are interested in sharing, but basically I am selling an archival, limited edition print of my work at a way below retail value. 100% of the net proceeds are donated to NTFB. Each print purchased provides 333 meals!

Take a Look at Brenda’s amazing portfolio and follow her on her website and Instagram.

Blueprint Gallery represents Brenda Bogart. 

Daily Desires:

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