Health Update

Dear Friends and Fellow Artists,

If you've been following me for a while you'll know that I've been living with a terminal cancer diagnosis since November of 2013. After attempting 6 types of therapy including chemo, we have exhausted the possibilities for traditional medical treatments. We have now begun the process of working with hospice in our home so that I may stay comfortably here. What an amazing organization and a tremendous group of compassionate people to be working with.

As you see from my blog, I've not been able to paint for quite some time, in fact I think it's been since early June. There are lots of my paintings still available and luckily my dear and gracious friend Carol Marine continues to post some of them on my blog each week. We are still managing to ship paintings out, so if you see something you like, please feel free to use the PayPal button and with a bit of patience on your part, we'll get the painting out to you.

It's been quite a ride hasn't it? And one I wouldn't change a bit of. Thank you from the depth of my heart for your interest in my art, for your support, and for allowing me to place myself beside and among such fine artists as yourselves. It has been an honor.

Peace,

Bren

Over the Edge

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Here are two things that remind me of Bren: sunflowers and polka dots. Polka dots because she has them all over the house - on bowls, cups, paintings, etc. And sunflowers because they are planted en mass behind her house. What a lovely combination!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

Goatee

I snuck in another goat. Love painting these guys. This one looks kind of wise. I like his 'inner glow.' Here's some great painting music to get lost in.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

Hitchin' a Ride

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Fergsuon) Bren and I have the exact same pig! But we both do very different interpretations of him. : )

Oil on panel, 6"x6" SOLD

I'm Late! I'm Late! I'm Late!

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) It's no wonder Bren and I get along so well - we paint so many of the same things! Cups are high on that list.

Oil on panel, 6"x6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

I'm Tickled

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) I've gotten a lot of gifts from Bren over the years, and almost every time she has included in the box a small, beautiful feather that she picked up somewhere (I have saved them all!). Bren is a lover of nature. And she immortalized these feathers in paintings, which I love, and especially these with the tiny eggs.
Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

I Miss Your Kiss

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Bren is so good at painting foil! I just adore all the reflected color in these guys. She and I share a passion for chocolate. Yum!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

Where Have You Been?

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Here's what Bren said the first time around: 'At first I thought of calling this Arm in Arm...a nice gentle title. Maybe it's the perspective or the sort of dramatic lighting, but the more I looked at it, I couldn't help but see two parents looming large over their errant teen, hands on hips, asking, "Where have you been?"'

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

First Friday Art Show

Brenda Ferguson

First Friday Art Show

While Brenda was home in the north, down south on

January 2, 2014, 5-8 pm

at the Dathan Hunter Salon

4 Milk Street, Portland, Maine
this exhibition opened with 

hosts: Bren friends Heather Alvarez and Susan Blier

 

Inside there was a mix of oils and pastels and refreshments.

Brenda's former teacher colleague Alice Kuz,

with her purchases, and host Sue

The hair salon became an art salon.

There was an overflow of oil paintings

hiding the hair care products.

Daughter and Father in matching outfits

Marianne Ferguson and Brenda's brother-in-law Rob Ferguson

"My hat has horns." (And it's the year of the goat.)

Grandson of Carol and Jim behind with their son.

The Year of the Goat calendars were on sale,

along with some of the goats.

Linda, Sue and grandparent friends, Carol and Jim.

Brenda's gull friends were in attendance.

Former colleague Librarian Linda Vanags and Uldis Vanags shopping.

They brought home a beautiful feather painting 
with touches of gold leaf.

How did we know the spirit of Brenda up in Dixmont

was visiting here in Portland at the Salon? While we had

this photo taken the music playing in the gallery was

THIS (really).
We were all laughing. Art Gallery Music?
But you never know what
Bren music might be painting with,
she's always full of musical surprises.

Ms. Music Painter was here. Oh, Brenda.

It was a steady stream of people, and these are just some of them.

I spy Sue, Heather, Carol, Jim, Rob, Marianne, Bruce,

Linda, Uldis, Heather's friends, and more.

Finally it was time to go.

 But not before photographer Bruce McMillan snapped

one last shot of Brenda's fine art at the Salon while

Marianne, Linda, Rob and Uldis said their goodbyes.
"I'll have a trim and a painting." 

It was a successful evening of double digit paintings sales,

with Brenda stories, and stories, and stories, and laughter

and laughter, and laughter. Oh, Brenda, you touch people

in the best way, and as Maya Angelou said, "People will

never forget how you made them feel."

Many paintings are still available at the continuing show,

through January 2015 at least, and always online here.

Could Bruce leave without adding another original

Brenda Ferguson to his art collection? No way.

My 18th Brenda original is Gold Leafing
on this blog HERE.

I love the abstract quality and

the color combination.

Such a fine artist.

Photos and text and posting of this opening
for Bren is by her friend

Bruce McMillan,

theartofbruce.blogspot.com

Porcelain Daisy

These are some of my favorite mugs and cups. I'm not a coffee drinker,  but I do enjoy a big mug of creamy steamy cocoa in the morning, a big scoop (or three) of ice cream in the blue cup...and of course a big ole mug of wine at the end of a satisfying painting day. Ahhh...life is sweet. The title is more about how the handles all look coming together from above.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

The Risk to Bloom

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) When Bren posted this the first time she included this quote, by Anais Nin, "And the day came when the risk to remain in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

All Together Now

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) I love this series that Bren did in 2011 of what she called "fractured fruit." I was so inspired I copied the idea and did a few of my own. Thanks for the idea my friend!

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

Blue Goose

Loved trying to capture the strong sunlight in this one. 

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Hard to Get

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Speaking of goats, here's one Bren did back in 2011 that I particularly like. In her original post Bren said she had a pile of brown she was hoping to use up, but didn't end up using any of it, except for the background. Too funny! : )
Oil on panel, 6" x 6",
SOLD

2015 Art Calendars!

(Posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Bren's 2015 calendars are IN, while supplies last. This year the theme is goats. Each calendar is 4x8 inches and self-standing. They make great stocking stuffers, for others or yourself!

($14 with domestic shipping)

Memories

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Here's what Bren said the first time around: "I remember bringing in fists full of dandelions that my mom kindly displayed in jars like they were the most beautiful thing...and doing the same with the fists full my kids brought to me. To this day I love a field filled with dandelions and sort of hate having them mowed down in our yard/field. "

Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

Rejoice

(Re-posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) Here's what Bren said the first time around: "They just looked like they were throwing their arms up, rejoicing!" I totally agree.

Oil on panel, 6in.x6in.

SOLD

Line by Line

(Posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) A love of rocks is another thing Bren and I share. Specifically rocks with stripes on them. In fact I have in my studio, on the window ledge right next to my easel, a rock with a perfect circle that Bren found and gave to me. She could have kept it for herself, but no. It was the ultimate act of a loving friendship! : )
Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD

How to Separate Eggs

(Posted by Carol Marine on behalf of Brenda Ferguson) This one is particularly silly, which is something I love about Bren! It's something we have in common - silliness. : ) I especially love the title. And of course the painting itself, with its yummy colors and cheerful pig.
Oil on panel, 6" x 6" 
SOLD

Between a Rock...

Hi, it's Bren here. I've had a couple of days of feeling pretty good, so decided to give Carol a day off with pay( Ha! the check's in the mail, Carol!) and post myself.

This is the last painting I did before my recent bout of illness, so I painted it almost three months ago. The stones are from the beach at Cape Breton, Canada. I love how the waves tumble the smaller pebbles onto, over and around the larger stones.

** and stay tuned in the next couple of days for a project of mine I've been able to get in amid elixir (chemo) treatments. Possible early Christmas shopping for friends who like to know what day it is...**
Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping
 
or contact brenda@brendferguson.com

Carol Marine's Book

My dear friend, Carol, has accomplished another amazing feat...another milestone in her illustrious art career. She just published a brand new instructional art book with Random House! The book is a feast for the eyes and food for the soul. It's FULL of information, in fact Carol held nothing back. The format is varied and beautiful and the voice is pure Carol! You can order it on Amazon.com here.  If you do...prepare to be mesmerized. You'll feel like you're talking with an old friend.

** and stay tuned in the next couple of days for a project of mine I've been able to get in amid elixir (chemo) treatments. Possible early Christmas shopping for friends who like to know what day it is...**