Brenda Farris      Artist Statement    Three Years ago I started sculpting people in clay. It was an awakening for my soul it is now my passion. My references for the sculptures are my family, friends, professors, and other artists. the work is often triggered by something said, or an expression on a face in a magazine, or just from my environment. Faces are of great inspiration to me, showing such expressions as serenity, sadness and contemplation. The way the expression is transferred to the clay depends on my mood at the time of creation. The inspiration of these pieces starts as a large block of clay than I take a paddle and beat until I get the desired shape. Then I start sculpting with my hands and sponges going from general to specific features. When the visual image I desire are on the front and dry enough to flip over without damage to the features; I flip it over on foam and the grunt work starts. The excess clay from the back is painstakingly carved out until the piece is uniformly thick in all areas. I leave two pieces in the center in which I place a whole to put a wire through for hanging. It is important to create the hangers from the original clay to provide the strength and support needed to suspend and support up to 25 pounds of clay at a time. I think of myself as an alchemist - its all about common elements ( earth, water and fire), I create from a thrilling place within me and bring together various ideas to form materials using images of people in a moment in time. I pick people that are a challenge to capture in clay. I look for an expression that I trust to be as transforming, peaceful and harmonious in ways to others as they are to me. When I abandon product expectation and simply remain awake to all that is in my midst; forms, images and inspiration miraculously lead the way. Often I'm amazed when looking at a completed piece that really pleases me. I look over my shoulder and say,' who did that'? I feel sometimes humbled and honored that I could go there; My hands following something much larger than myself. Then it all goes in a gallery and I look at my whole life in my world, happy, sad and sexual and I think, I need a shrink!       EDUCATION: Fine arts Governors State University 2008/present BS Arts Indiana University Northwest 2005/2008 AS General Studies Indiana University Northwest 2005/2005 GROUP EXHIBITIONS: Indiana University Art Club exhibitions Gary, IN 2007 Indiana University Senior Thesis Exhibition Gary, IN 2008 Indiana University Arts Club Exhibition, Gary, IN 2008 www.18artists.com 2008-present 18artists, Outside the Box Beyond the Web #4, Three Oaks, MI. 2008 Corner Stone Art Gallery, members show Whiting, IN. 2008 18artists, Big Show of little Pieces, Active Art Salon in Munster, IN 2008 Indiana University Fusion of the Arts exhibit, South Shore Arts Gary, IN 2008 Lubeznik Center for the Arts Michigan City. IN Under the Influence: Emerging Artists and Their Mentors, 2008-09 Cornerstone Gallery, Oliver Brown, Whiting, IN 2008 Cornerstone Gallery, Out of Hibernation, Whiting, IN 2009 Cornerstone Gallery, Focus on This, Whiting, IN 2009 Cornerstone Gallery, 18 Artists , Whiting, IN 2009 Governors State University Art Show ,IL 2009 Cornerstone Gallery, Purity, Whiting, IN 2009 Cornerstone Gallery, Ceramics, Sculpture and Mixed Media’, Whiting, IN 2009 SOLO EXHIBITION: Corner Stone Art Gallery Trial by Fire Whiting, IN. 2008 AWARDS Indiana University Art Club exhibitions second place winner 2007 Gary, IN. Indiana University Art Club exhibitions third place winner 2008 Gary, IN. Kathleen M. Mills Hill Memorial Scholarship 2008 　 Additional Information   Teaching   2000 - present   Drifting Dunes Girl Scout Council                           Instructor for arts and crafts 1988 - present Grace Church of the Nazarene                           Instructor for arts and crafts   Mail to: farris46368@verizon.net * ( this is a protest piece against the dehumanization of women in the mass media) Eye for an Eye 18" x 24" Clay $ 500.00 I AM A SURVIVOR 15" x 10.5" Clay $ 300   Expectations ( A celebration of childbirth) 14.5" x 11.5" Clay $ 300.00   Ten Past Eight (Yawning Man) 13" x 10" Clay $ 300.00 Shut your Face and know Your Place 14" x 9" Clay $ 300.00 * Hanging On By a Shoestring Shoe 5" x 10" Man 17" x 6" Clay $ 200.00   Lost Remote 15" x 9" Clay Piece one of two   Found Remote 15.5' x 12.5" Clay $ 500.00 Set Nature's Perfect Formula 14" x 1.5" Clay $ 300.00   Feeding Baby Picasso 16.5" x 14.5" Clay $ 300.00 Fear of the Unknown ( Buggy) 10" x 7" Clay $ 200.00   Feeding Baby Picasso, 17.5: x 8.5" Clay Set of 5 $ 1,000.00   Feeding Baby Picasso 8:00 P.M 17.5: x 8.5" Clay Set of 5 $ 1,000.00 Feeding Baby Picasso 12:00 A.M 17.5: x 8.5" Clay Set of 5 $ 1,000.00 Feeding Baby Picasso 4:00 A.M 17.5: x 8.5" Clay Set of 5 $ 1,000.00 Feeding Baby Picasso 8:00 A.M 17.5: x 8.5" Clay Set of 5 $ 1,000.00   Neil 3' x 4' Clay $ 1,000.00 Derek 40" x 15" x 6.6' Clay $ 400.00   SOLD Wall Hanging 1 11" Diameter Clay $ 25.00 Wall Hanging 2 11" Diameter Clay $ 25.00 Wall Hanging 3 11" Diameter Clay $ 25.00 Jonny has gone for a Soldier 12" Wall Hanging Clay $ 150.00   When Jonny Comes Marching Home Wall Hanging 14" Clay $ 150.00 Help Me 14" Wall Hanging Clay $ 150.00 Judy Wall Hanging 14" Clay 150.00   Untitled Wall Hanging 12" Clay $150.00   Beauty Wall Hanging 11" Clay $ 150.00 Earth, wind, Fire 3 Piece Wall Hanging 11" each Piece Clay $ 100.00 Set   Fire and Ice 3 Piece Wall Hanging 11" each Piece Clay $ 100.00 Set
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