Art, the invisible bubble...
MY JOB AS AN ARTIST
Ultimately, my job as an artist is to nurture the artistic experience. So I deliberately create impulses of light and textural surfaces to draw you into the core of my work. I hope you can take a moment; linger here, leave inspired.
I believe Art is magical. Art can create new paradigms that can help all of us make better choices in our lives.
This is how I think; what I do; who I am.
MY PERCEPTION OF ART
The invisible bubble is what I call the state of mind that you experience when viewing a work of Art. Our existing cultural threads that help us through unfamiliar experiences are so frayed in our society that very often knowledge comes to a dead-end, rather than be woven into a new layer of experience.
Art can help mend those frayed threads. Art is vital part of culture. Like bubbles touching and forming interlocking spheres shades of new colors are illuminated and we become connected.
As an artist I ask you, please, protect this process and give voice to the Arts.
BIOGRAPHY
Sculptor, Brenda Sherburn LaBelle
Born & grew-up in a small town in New Hampshire, USA
Presently lives in California.
EDUCATION
1990 BFA Degree / University of Cincinnati, School of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP)
1987 SUNY- Binghamton. Completed “Bronze Foundry Program”
1972 – 1975 New England School of Art & Design, Boston. “Foundation Program: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture & Design”
1972 to 1976 Apprenticed with the British Sculptor, Master Robin Binning, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
SOLO SHOWS
2019 – 2014 “Wren’s Way Sculpture Garden”, Water Street, Fort Bidwell, CA
2011 “Birdology: Art Works by Brenda Sherburn LaBelle “Art Show with Book Reading” / RileyStreet Art Exhibits, San Rafael, CA
2001 “Cashew Festival”, Crocked Tree, Belize
1988 “Chernobyl: The Noble Savage & other sculpture” Window Displays, Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
1987 “Featured Artist: Sculpture by Brenda Sherburn-Zimmer (Labelle)” Spring & Summer. Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY
1987 “Art From The Shadows: Sherburn-Zimmer (LaBelle)” Alternatives for Art (Location:Conklin Avenue), Binghamton, NY
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
2016,17,18 Open Studios, Selected Works, Marin, CA
2014,15 “Women’s Sculpture Exhibit”, Fairfax, CA
2013 “Wall For Peace”, W-AFPIAAP International Art For World Peace / New Delhi, Alwar, Calcutta, Mumbai, India / İstanbul, Turkey
2011,12 “Annal Show of California Ceramic Artists”, Sacramento, CA
2009 “Art & Nature”, Daraja Academy, Nanyuki, Kenya
2002,03,04 Group Exhibit, Whistlestop, San Rafael, CA
1997,98,99 Open Studios / Neighborhood Art, Fairfax, CA
1993, 94, 95 “PAIRS, Teachers Annual” Creative Growth Art Center, Oakland, CA.
1992, 93 “Frail Elder Center For Alzheimer” Oakland, CA. Fund Raiser
1992 “Women’s Art Exhibit” The Ebert Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
1992 “Sculpture Expo” California State Fair, Sacramento, CA. (Merit Award)
1990 “BFA Show” 840 Gallery. DAAP, University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
1988 Delaware Center For The Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE
1987 “Abstract Art at City Hall” Institute of Contemporary Art, College of Philadelphia, PA.
1987 “American (BAD) Dream: Artists views on poverty” Lawrence / Rosemont Gallery, Rosemont, Pa.
1987 Annual Group Show: Clay Figure (I don’t do pots), Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pa.
1987 “Sale’s Gallery / Fall Exhibit of Work by Local Artists” Philadelphian Museum of Art, Philly, PA
1987 “Herland III, Women’s Art” Oswego Art Guild, NY.
1982 “Festival Of Alternatives In Art” SUNY-Binghamton, NY
AWARDS
2001 Belize Audubon Society. Belize, Central America
Awarded Internship to design and build an education exhibit about bird migration at Crooked Tree Bird Sanctuary; includes a mural, 3D Exhibits for educational program.
1996 Special Commendation Award for Work & Instruction for the Cambodian Community. Alameda Board of Supervisors. Oakland, CA
1992 Merit Award for Sculpture, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA
1989 Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Brooklyn, NY.
Money For Women Artists: Sculpture & Drawing
1987 Rodin Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Special Handling Permit awarded to artist to directly work from Rodin’s clay maquettes and bronzes on site. Permission to copy by drawings and modeling small clay pieces. Permission to enter one hour before museum opens, work through morning hours.
1987 Artist In Resident Fellowship.
Sponsored by the Franklin Mint through the Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
COMMISSIONS
2016 Commissioned to create a bronze portrait of Harold Gordon, New Hampshire.
2013 Commissioned to make a large replica of the Sacajawea Gold Coin for Native American, Randy LH Teton, the woman who is modeled for the actual coin. The replica is a large, rigid painting of the coin. Randy uses the replica for events throughout the US as a Good-Will Ambassador for Native American culture.
2012 Commissioned portrait drawings of Imam Mehdi Khorasani, Redwood Mosque, Marin County, CA
2011 Commissioned carved sculpture for meditation room, Redwood Mosque, Fairfax, CA
SELECTED REVIEWS AND PUBLICATIONS
2021/May “The Hummingbirds’ Gift, Wonder, Beauty And Renewal On Wings” by Sy Montgomery has become its own little book about my work with baby hummingbirds.
2015/June Article, “Handle With Care”, from Reader’s Digest. About me and my work with baby hummingbirds, taken from Birdology.
2011 / Book, “Birdology”, Author: Sy Montgomery, one chapter about Brenda Sherburn (LaBelle) volunteer work rescuing hummingbirds.
Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1416569848
2013 / Published Book, “Owl Always Be Waiting”, poetry by Brenda Sherburn LaBelle
2012 / PAKISTAN / Compiled & Published a collection of Pakistani Poetry: “Selected Poetry: English, Urdu, Persian & Punjabi written by Tahir Khan Arzani طاہر خان ارضانی “
Brenda designed & did the layout for the book. She also wrote the Introduction.
2009 / KENYA / Article, “The Highlight of the Week” by Director Jason Doherty. Written about Brenda Sherburn (LaBelle) work at Daraja Academy, Kenya. Nature Journalling with teenage girls from diverse tribal cultures in Kenya.
2007 / VIETNAM / Froglog Newsletter, “Saving The World One Drawing At A Time”, http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Froglog84.pdf Article about art project facilitated by Brenda Sherburn (LaBelle) with children at Kentfield Elementary School, CA.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
2020 Northwest Stone Sculpture Association (NWSSA) Online Carving Symposium, Aug 5 – 9.
2018 Marble / marble Stone Carving Symposium. Marble, Colorado, USA
TEACHING AND GLOBAL VENTURES
***To see the many Global Community Art Projects & Teaching Activities Sherburn LaBelle has done over the years, please go to her webpage: “About SWD” saveworlddraw.org
***To see work rehabing the delightful baby hummingbirds ~~( : > Go to webpage: “Rescuing Hummingbirds” saveworlddraw.org
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website www.saveworlddraw.org
