Brenda Swenson

Brenda Swenson is the artist author of two books, Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook (Finalist, Award of Excellence) and Steps to Success in Watercolor. An active participant in the arts community she is 1st Vice-President of the California Art Club and has served on the board of directors for the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West. She's a Signature Artist in WW, NWWS, SDWS and CWA. Her artwork has been featured in several volumes of Splash: Best of Watercolor, An Illustrated Journey, Creative Freedom, Complete Guide to Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, Watercolor Magazine, Watercolor Highlights, Plein Air Magazine and numerous other publications. She participates as an arts juror and demonstrator, and offers workshops both nationally and abroad.

SIGNATURE MEMBER

• CWA - California Watercolor Society
• SDWS - San Diego Watercolor Society
• NWWS-North West Watercolor Society
• WW - Watercolor West - Master Signature

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• California Art Club, 1st Vice-President 2021- Present
• National Watercolor Society, Exhibitions 2002-04, Publicity 2007-09
• Watercolor West, Programs 2001-04

INSTRUCTIONAL DVD

• Glowing Watercolors, Creative Catalyst Productions, 2021
• Negative Painting with Watercolor, Artist Palette Productions, 2014
• Sketching Techniques with Watercolor, Artist Palette Productions, 2012

PUBLICATIONS

• 2021 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Sketchbook Lessons
• 2020 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Grappling with Greens
• 2020 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Sketching Siena
• 2019 Plein Air Magazine: Capturing the Color, in Reflected Light & Shadows
• 2019 Watercolor Artist Magazine: All Toned Up
• 2018 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Use Your Words
• 2015 Watercolor Artist Magazine: The World is Your Studio
• 2013 Daniel Smith: Stained Paper Collage, Ink Smith
• 2012 Plein Air Magazine: Illustrating Journeys with Watercolor
• 2011 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Positive/Negative, Creativity Workshop Column
• 2011 Watercolor Artist Magazine: Little Pieces of Color
• 2006 Watercolor Highlights: Best of the year collection
• 2005 Wheels of Time: Picture Perfect
• 2005 Quarterly: Weekly Treasure Hunt on Gold Line
• 2005 Daniel Smith: CAL 46, Ink Smith
• 2004 Watercolor Magazine: Painting Along a Commuter Line
• 2002 Pasadena Star News: Art Brings Brightness to Five Acres, Volunteer Recognition
• 2000 Watercolor Magazine: A Driving Devotion BOOKS
• 2019 Splash 20: Creative Compositions, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2018 Splash 19: Illusion of Light, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2016 Complete Guide to Watercolour, Quarto, Contributor
• 2016 Painting in Watercolor: The Indispensable Guide, Firefly, Contributor
• 2014 Incite 2, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2013 Creative Freedom, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2013 An Illustrated Journey, HOW Books, Contributor
• 2013 Splash 14: Light and Color, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2011 Splash 12: Celebrating Artistic Vision, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2010 Splash 11: New Directions, North Light Books, Contributor
• 2010 Artistic Touch 4, Contributor
• 2007 Step to Success in Watercolor, Artist & Author, Walter Foster
• 2006 80 Watercolor Painting References, Walter Foster, Contributor
• 2005 Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook, Artist & Author, Walter Foster, Finalist, Award of Excellence

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS

• Provident Bank, Riverside CA, 7/2008
• Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, 10/2006

JUROR

• Transparent Watercolor Society of America Society of Watercolor Artists, TX
• Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild
• Plein Air Costa Rica, 2018
• Valley Watercolor Society, CA
• Art Classic XXI, Santa Clarita, CA
• Associated Artists of the Inland Empire, CA
• Utah Watercolor Society Traditional Artist Guild, Paramount, CA
• La Habra Art Association, La Habra, CA
• Creative Arts Association, Burbank, CA

EXHIBITION & AWARDS

• 07/22 California Art Club, 110th Gold Medal Exhibition, Bowers Museum
• 06/22 Watercolor West, International Exhibition
• 05/22. California Art Club, California Gardens, San Marino Gallery
• 03/22 American Women Artists, Breaking Through: The Rise of American Women Artists
• 01/22 California Art Club, Memory Lane, San Marino Gallery
• 01/22 California Watercolor Association, National Exhibition
• 10/21 *Watercolor West, 53rd International Exhibition, Signature Award
• 10/21 *Northwest Watercolor Society, International Exhibition, Award
• 09/21 California Art Club, Coastal California, San Marino Gallery
• 09/21 San Diego Watercolor Society, 41st International Exhibition
• 07/21 California Art Club, 110th Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum
• 11/20 *Northwest Watercolor Society, 80th International Exhibition, Daniel Smith Premier Award
• 11/20 National Watercolor Society: The First 100 Years, International Exhibition
• 10/20 *Watercolor West, 52nd International Exhibition, Juror's Award
• 09/20 San Diego Watercolor Society, 40th International Exhibition
• 05/20 California Art Club, 109th Gold Medal Exhibition
• 06/20 Transparent Watercolor Society of America, National Exhibition
• 01/20 California Watercolor Association, National Exhibition
• 01/20 California Art Club, Golden California, San Marino Gallery
• 10/19 California Art Club, Painting the L.A. Arboretum
• 09/19 California Art Club, 20th Anniversary Exhibition, San Marino Gallery
• 05/19 California Art Club, Summer Impressions, San Marino Gallery
• 05/19 Northwest Watercolor Society, International Exhibition
• 05/19 Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, Regional Exhibition
• 04/19 National Watercolor Society, Member's Exhibition
• 03/19 California Art Club, 108th Gold Medal Exhibition
• 04/19 Fabriano in Acquarello, 10th International, Fabriano, Italy (Invitational)
• 01/19 *California Watercolor Association, Juried--National Exhibition