Brenda Salamone

Artist Statement

My love of nature always inspires my artwork. Whether of landscapes, seascapes, or animals, my paintings are my way to preserve the rapidly disappearing beauty of the world around us. A deeper appreciation of the basis for that beauty – the earth itself, the air we breathe, the fire that can renew growth, and the water that sustains our life – brought about a new aspect of my work, and my style morphed into an exploration of the elements – earth, air, fire and water.

My paintings begin with studying the natural minerals and rough gemstones I have collected my whole life. The intricate details of these stones create beautiful worlds of their own to behold. I start with applying layers of color, in oils, soft pastels, acrylic mixed media, or encaustic hot wax, and intersperse metal leaf, metallic powders, and iridescent pigments. I let my intuition and love of brilliant colors take the paintings into fantastic new directions, where they depict a mystical new universe to explore.

My work strives to express the inward significance of our true selves. Human beings are visual creatures, and it is in our nature to make judgments based on outward appearances. The matrix of stone on the outside of a geode may be drab and uninteresting, just a rock that looks like thousands of others around it, but when the treasure inside is exposed and polished, the dazzling results are breathtaking and priceless. The dull exterior of a geode rock had become a metaphor for my life and art. By breaking free and esc