Emotions... What Does Art Say to You?
By L.A. Eaton

“Art touches the part of the brain that loves sunsets,” said Brenda Belfield, abstract painter and architectural designer. “It can take you away to a place. Art should connect in some way.
It doesn’t have to have meaning.”

There are so many things to see, and feelings to experience in Belfield’s art, some of which is inspired from her walks along the beach. You probably won’t look at some of these and label a boat, or a tree, or seashells. But you’ll feel the experience of them.

“I can paint roses,” said Belfield who owns Artworks in Reston with her husband, Curry. But how many of us have seen at least a zillion pictures of roses? “Art gives you new ways of seeing things.”

And that’s why there is not a quick study method (not successful anyway) to learn about art and what to buy for your home. It’s important to educate yourself when consid-ering what to purchase, said Belfield. “You want to go where they sell art and ask ques-tions. Get to know the galleries and shows. This is something you’re going to have and treasure for a long time.”

When purchasing a piece of art, homeowners can benefit by asking advice from pro-fessionals. “I love working with people to help them discover what they like in art,” Bel-field said, pointing out textures, colors, and the use of collages by different artists in her studio. Many galleries also allow pieces to be taken out
on loan and artists like Belfield can be commissioned to paint especially for a particular room or to bring a selection that may accentuate the client’s home.

Art lovers can also meet with local artists to discuss their work. This can give you a viewpoint from the artist and help you understand what they were thinking and feeling when they created the painting.

Belfield, herself, often begins a painting with nothing particular
in mind. She lets the colors inspire her as she has a
conversation with the paint. “I paint intuitively, according to my
mood.”

The artist has been inspiring and stimulating minds for over thirty years and her ex-periences (too many to mention) include 11 one person shows and numerous group ex-hibits in the Washington area, New York, and Los Angeles. She has also been commis-sioned for stained glass designs for projects in the United States and abroad. She will have a showing May 12, 2007 at her studio and will be doing more work with Max 21, a group of artists that explore new ideas and projects once a month.