Arlene

Brencsons

Arlene is a native Manhattanite whose only contact with an easel prior to retiring in Sanford had been in kindergarten. She'd always had art on her walls and in her heart, but with a family, a 30 year nursing career, and running a family business, had little time to create it. With trepidation she joined a painting class at Carolina Trace, and the moment she first touched paint to canvas, fell in love. She's been painting almost daily since, She was honored to be chosen "Breakout Artist of the Year" in 2018 by her talented colleagues at the Sanford Brush and Palette Club, and her work has won awards and ribbons from the first time exhibited.

With daily reminders that our world is mired in injustice, disregard for our environment, and unspeakable intolerance, it's hard to imagine the peaceful, pristine, and humane place it could-and should be. My easel is my sanctuary; my place of peace. My art is never realistic, but depicts an alternate, idealized reality. That said, I also believe that humor, lightheartedness, and kindness are essential to navigating life's sharper edges with a minimum of scarring, and more humans should try using them. Not everything has to be rule driven or serious in life- or in art. In my artwork, the buildings might be a bit tipsy and the sky may be lavender, but painting is fun, life can be beautiful, and our world a joyful place.

Acrylic