Brandy Stark, Artist Biography
Inspired by her knowledge of ancient world mythologies and religions, Brandy Stark has produced her "Metal Myths" series since 1995. Ms. Stark mixes found objects and metal mediums to resurrect ancient characters, deities, and ideals in the modern world.
Each piece is hand worked. The artist utilizes the natural colors of the metals (brass, bronze, and aluminum or steel) in creating her works. She creates a form of neo-expressionistic art by combining heavy materials with open spaces to create a unifying tension in each sculpture. Each work is intricately woven by a series of twists that combine "wrapping," "weaving," and "sewing" the metals together into a single solid structure.
As an additional statement about contemporary culture, Ms. Stark often adds found objects to her three-dimensional tapestries. While augmenting the uniqueness of the work, the implementation of found objects show that everything, and symbolically everyone, has a place in this world.
As a multi-award winning artist, she has earned awards for her metal statues, creative writing, web site design, and photography. In 2001, she served as an artist-in-residence for Bay Pines VA Hospital. In 2002, she created a specialized art tour designed in conjunction with the internationally attended Dragon*con Convention. She continues to find ways to introduce the public to local artists-in-residence, to new and varied art venues, and to stress the importance of art in society.
She has presented numerous art-related workshops at both museum and gallery settings. She has also enumerated academic lectures for the St. Petersburg Historical Museum, the Florida International Museum, and the Dali Museum. Her artist memberships include the Arts Center, The Arts Center, Gulf Coast Artists’ Alliance (GCAA), and the Florida Craftsmen. She is a board member for The Exhibiting Society of Artists (TESA).
As a former freelance arts reporter, Ms. Stark wrote for the St. Petersburg Times. She published additional topical articles for Bayside News, www.sterlingpowell.com, Pug Talk Magazine, The Pinellas Informer and for www.carolineyork.com.
Ms. Stark graduated with her Masters in Religious Studies from the University of South Florida and is continuing her education in the field of the Humanities. She is also a doctoral candidate in Education and Leadership at Barry University, and is currently working on her dissertation. She is presently an instructor in World Religions and Humanities at St. Petersburg College, the University of Tampa, Eckerd College, and Hillsborough Community College.
Sample of works
(currently being shown and still available)
April 2009 (Images will scroll for you)
Announcements:
Current and Upcoming Art Shows:
A Taste For Wine, April 14 - ?
Postcard Souvenir Project 2009. June 13. Art Pool (919 1st Ave. N, St. Pete)
TRA'shion Fashion Show: July 11 (Art Pool)
DucKon Art Show, June 11 - 14
Convergence Art Show, Minnesota, July 1 - 5
ArmadilloCon Art Show, Austin, Texas, August 14 - 15
re: Member September, Arts Center, St. Petersburg.
Archon 33, October. St. Louis, Mo.
Hand Wrapped Wire Metal Sculpture, Polymer Clay, Prints/Computer/Photographic Works, & Found Object Art
(to order prints or to see more, please go to: http://metalpug.deviantart.com/)
THANK YOU to Donna for asking to create a Facebook fan page for me. I am deeply honored and the page is awesome! 8/2008.
Artist Statement:
In the Primal/Tribal mythologies of the world, there is a basic understanding: whatever is done to nature is done the self. In nature, we find the underlying communal whole, the essence that ties us all together. Yet, in today’s consumer-oriented environment, we are taught to buy and throw away. Like a contaminant, we trash everything we no longer value – from outdated tech toys to unwanted pets, the disabled, non-popular, the elderly…the so-called “others” of the world. When will we realize that what we do to others will someday be done to us? The realization is obvious: we are these things, we ARE the others. In integrating this into my philosophy, my art utilizes found objects in a unique and unexpected way to remind the viewer of “otherness” while also bringing about a new form of use for each object. It is my hope that through finding new life for these items, my art will remind the viewer to find new relationships with the world around them.
Solstice
This summer I took time to try and learn more on PhotoShop. When PetLoversClub issued a digital stamp contest, I wanted to at least try it out. I did send it out to be critiqued and took those suggestions to make a second stamp...which is what was entered in the contest. It won second place.
To learn more about the artist:
Other Galleries of Completed Works:
The award winning "Cat and Mouse" (Best Concept Design, 2008) with a second metal cat in their current owner's home. Sent by Wayne, Mobile, Alabama.
Nov. 2008: "Chin the Pug" was published in the 2008 Pug Rescue of Florida calendar (via jury). He appears in the month of January.
"Special Lady" at home. From Barbara Conners, Denver, Colorado.
January 2, 2009:
Hello, we would like to inform you that the following image has been chosen for inclusion to our VIP Showcase Gallery, and will be unveiled for display in the coming week.
Hindu Priest Genesis.jpg
As indicated on our website, you will receive $100 for each of the 100 Limited Edition Fine Art reproductions that are purchased. Please visit the Terms/Use Agreement on the website for more detailed payment information.
We congratulate you on your efforts, and are looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future!
In art and in trust,
Todd Bluewater
Creative Colleague
OneGalleryPlace.com
April 3, 2009:
*Featured in "Meet Your Neighbor" section of Crescent Heights Neighborhood Newsletter. A very nice honor, and a lovely write up!
* Featured on the cover of the new TESA informational brochure.
Joined Art Pool, 1st Avenue North and 11th Street: I have been impressed with the gallery's use of ecclectic ideals, calls to artists, and monthly events, which are usually packed. Here's hoping!
April 11, 2009: "Fleur de Mar" won "G-String Award" at the "Off the Wall" show, Don Vista. Judge's comments: "Fleur de Mar" Brandy Stark
An imaginative use of found decorative and utilitarian
materials in a 3-dimensional and surreal gestural
interpretation of the title as a figurative work of art.
April 29 New web group added my info. Other artists
may want to think about joining:
