Featured Artist

BRENDA HENDERSON

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Our new Featured Artist is the much admired and multi talented artist Brenda Henderson. Brenda has been a prominent member of the Guild since the early 1980s and received life membership in 1995 in recognition of her dedicated service to the WA Guild of China Painters.

Hand crafted and hand painted masks

Brenda was born in Surrey, England and her interest in art was apparent at an early age. She began by taking pottery and then sculpture lessons in hobby classes while in the UK. In search of adventure Brenda migrated to Australia in 1967 where she met and married her husband Mike.

Settling in Perth in 1970, Brenda then embarked on more serious art studies commencing TAFE classes in 1974, and completed her diploma, majoring in Pottery. She later achieved a further diploma majoring in china painting, which comprised 4 years of study and two years of 'Studio' in the 'Certificate in Onglaze Painting'. Brenda obtained the highest marks in the certificate in 1984, going on to teach china painting and design at Midland TAFE. Brenda completed her diploma in art studies in 1990.

Widely known for her very innovative work, Brenda has worked with many different forms of art, including pen and wash, watercolour, printmaking, drawing, oil painting and acrylics. She has held several solo exhibitions, displaying her own clay shapes, with china painting and glass. In more recent times Brenda has been exhibiting as part of the 'Five Contemporary Onglaze Artists' at the Guildford Village Potters Gallery.

One spectacular piece of Brenda's work is in the Guild 'Collectables' - a 30cm high vase entitled 'Gaia on Earth Watch' which was acquired in 1999 by the Guild for future generations to enjoy.

Above Left to Right: Cat bowl, cat plate and landscape bowl on jarrah plinth.

"I consider I will always be a student because I am always learning something new about Art and Design."

The above quote gives insight into why Brenda continues to produce such beautifully intricate and innovative work.

Brenda Henderson's stated ambition is for china painting to be looked upon as 'real painting' and she continues to be active in china painting circles, encouraging painters to take seriously the design and content of their work.

Above: Landscape Tile
Above right: 'Rights of Passage' Plate 

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