CV of Brenda Isaak Takao

BlueSeedStudio.com l @blueseedgirl on Instagram l Girlblue - Youtube Channel

Summary

I am a multi-media artist living on Vancouver Island, in BC. While at the University of Alberta, my minor was Art. I obtained my Journeyman in Welding from Lethbridge College, where I also earned a Diploma in Interior Design for which I earned the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze medal. 

I explore many media; mild steel, felted wool, paper, paint, and wood all make their home in my art.  Recently, I have begun to explore unconventional ways to bring some of my media together, for example, bringing felting into my metal sculpture.

While this eclecticism exists with media, the sources of my inspiration remain the same. My infatuation with the natural world and my love of colour, as well as my obsession with the organic line are evident.  Curves, vines, trees, flowers, seed pods and spirals all grace my work.  Their soft lines pull the eye, create movement, and transport the viewer into their own liminal space.

The arts community is dear to my heart and in order to give back to it, I have in the past Chaired local arts organizations and most recently sat as President of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, in Duncan, BC.

 Relevant Arts Training and Learning

2012- current              Various wet and needle felting techniques, mentored by Marilyn Chamberlain of Lethbridge Surface Design Guild, and self-taught via YouTube, et al.

2002 – 2004                Interior Design and Merchandising Program, Diploma with Honours; Courses included colour theory, auto cad, interior design, architectural design, materials, construction. Lethbridge Community College, AB.

1999 – 2002                Journeyman Welder Certificate. Courses in GMAW, TIG, SMAW, blueprint reading, pattern development. Lethbridge Community College, Lethbridge, AB.

1990 – 1994                Bachelor of Education, art minor, University of Alberta, Courses in clay sculpture, painting, wood sculpture, writing. Edmonton, AB.

 Relevant Artistic Work Presented to the Public

2024                    Pop-up Show; Featured Artist; Metal Garden Sculpture. Patio Gardens; Saanich, BC.                                     Reclamation 4; Artist; CVAC Fine Art Show; Cowichan Valley Arts Council, BC

March 2024                 Mother Earth Loves You; Artist; Metal and Felted Vessel; Growth Art Show; Ladysmith Arts Council, BC.

February 2024            Reclamation 2 and 3; Artist; Metal relief sculptures in old wooden window frames; Old to Art Show; Cowichan Valley Arts Council, BC.

Autumn 2023              The Tree of Life Holds Many Stories; Artist; Mixed media collage; Cedar Show; Cowichan Valley Arts Council, BC.

July 2022/2023           Assorted Metal and Felted Sculptures, Paintings; San Pariel Studio Tour; Vendor. Parksville, BC.

July 2022/2023           Assorted Metal and Felted Sculptures; Art on the Acreage Annual Art Show; Vendor. North Cowichan, BC.

Aug 2022/2023           Assorted Metal and Felted Sculptures; Cowichan Valley Arts Council – Annual Outdoor Art Market; Vendor. Duncan, BC.

May 2023                    Mother Earth Loves You; Artist; Metal and Felted Vessel; Cowichan Valley Arts Council – Annual Fine Art Show. Duncan, BC.

Aug 2021/2022           Assorted Metal and Felted Sculptures, & Paintings; Arts Council of Ladysmith and District – Arts on the Avenue; Vendor. Ladysmith, BC.

May 2020/2021/2022 Metal Sculpture; Artist; Cowichan Valley Arts Council – Annual Fine Art                            Show, Honourable Mention (2021). Duncan, BC.

Feb 2021                     Blown Over; Artist; Arts Council of Ladysmith and District – Fine Art Show, Best in Metal Sculpture. Ladysmith, BC.

2018 – 2020                Assorted Metal and Felted Sculptures; Artist; Various in person and online shows; Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, Ladysmith BC.

 2018/2019                   Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; Cherry Point Artists Annual Show and Sale, St Andrews Church, Duncan, BC.

 Dec 2019                    Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; RAW – group show, Portals Gallery, the Annex. Ducan, BC.

Sept 2019                   Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; Vivid – group show, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery. Ladysmith, BC.

 May 2019                    Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; From the World of Nature to the World of Imagination, Art Sea Gallery; group show; Sidney, BC.

2018-2019                   Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; Various group shows at the Coast Collective. Victoria, BC.

 July 2015-2017           Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist and organizer; Celebration of the Arts, Coaldale Settlers Days. Coaldale, AB.

 April 2017                    In Search of Spring, Artist and organizer; pop up art show at Green Haven Garden Centre. Lethbridge, AB.

 2013 – 2016                Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist and organizer; Gem of the West Museum Annual Fine Art Show and Sale. Coaldale, AB.

 Jan 2015                     Assorted Metal Sculptures and Paintings; Artist; Organic, Solo Show, Lebel Gallery, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, AB.

 Selected Arts and Cultural Work Experience

2012 – Present           Self Employed at Blue Seed Studio as a working artist, and more recently as a Life Coach. Cowichan Valley Vancouver Island, BC.

1998-02; 2006-12       Coaldale Iron Products, General Manager. Work included: Metal Design of furniture, railings, decorative fixtures and sculpture, consulting with clients, design, manufacture, installation of projects. Coaldale, AB.

 Recent Art Teaching Work

Spring 2023                Felting an open vessel around a bottle/resist; Cowichan South Arts Guild, Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, Shawnigan Lake, BC.

February 2023            Felting an open vessel around a bottle/resist; Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Art Dabble Series, Duncan, BC.

2020 – 2022                Various workshops for kid’s camps – felting, wire sculpture etc. Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Duncan, BC.

Selected Volunteer Experience

Feb 2024                     Adjudicator for CVRD Art Granting Body, Cowichan Valley Regional District, BC.

2023-present              President, Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Vancouver Island, Duncan, BC.

2021-2023                   Regular Board Member and Outreach Committee Chair, Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Duncan, BC.

2013 - 2016                Past Chair – Coaldale Arts and Culture Committee of the Gem of the West Museum Society, Coaldale, AB.

 Artist and Community Collaboration Activities

August 2022-2024      Chair of the Outreach Committee, Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Launched and made sustainable an annual outdoor art market during annual town music festival. Cowichan Valley Regional District, Duncan, BC.

 July 2015-2017           Chaired the Arts and Culture Committee that brought the arts festival, Celebration of the Arts to Coaldale Settlers Days, Coaldale, AB.

 April 2017                    Proposed and organized - In Search of Spring, pop up art show at Green Haven Garden Centre, Lethbridge, AB.

 2013 – 2016                Chaired the Arts and Culture Committee that presented the Gem of the West Museum Annual Fine Art Show and Sale, Coaldale, AB.