PRESS RELEASE
An opening reception will be held for artists Karl Brenner, Jeff Dodd, and Brenda Kingery from 6-10pm, June 7th during the Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Walk. The exhibit, Looking West, will showcase Native American heritage, western culture and midwestern landscapes. The exhibitions will be on display until June 30th. The exhibits, opening reception, and artist talks are all free to the public.
Native of California and Colorado retiree Karl Brenner spends his days painting En Plein Air. Brenners love of art began at age 11 when his parents took him to the Art Institute of Chicago. He proceeded to take art classes growing up and won an art scholarship to Stanford University. He eventually decided against a career in art and became a surgeon instead. In 1987 he returned to art after attending an art workshop by Ted Goershner. He sold his surgery practice, moved to Durango, Colorado and began painting again. He now spends his time traveling and painting, capturing the beauty of midwestern landscapes. Brenner states that he paints for personal satisfaction, “the light constantly drawing him back outside”.
Jeff Dodd is a hyperrealist artist. He paints both portraits and landscapes in oils. Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in fine art from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, pursued graduate studies at Wichita State and studied under Tony Ryder in New York City at the Art Students League. In the 1990s, Dodd was commissioned to paint two murals for the Oklahoma State Capitol. These murals commemorate the oil and gas and agriculture industries of Oklahoma and hang above the House of Representative and Senate Chambers. Painting these murals brought the native Oklahoman back to his home state, where he maintains a studio in Arnett, OK.
Brenda Kingery, named 2017 Dynamic Woman of the Year by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, is a contemporary artist whose art encompasses Native American and Oriental culture. Her art is spontaneous, unstructured and colorful. She received her bachelor’s in fine art and history from the University of Oklahoma, attended graduate school at Ryukyus University in Okinawa, Japan and studied Chinese at Texas Tech in Lubbok, Texas. Living for a few years in Asia with her husband, Brenda fell in love with the tradition and culture. It was during this time that she met Japanese Potters and learned the art of sumi-e painting. Returning to the states brought Brenda back in touch with her Chickasaw roots. Brenda draws on her heritage and experiences for every piece she creates, and she encourages and teaches other women to do the same.