Dina Brennan: Color Noise
Mixed Media artist
Hanover, MA
Instagram: @dinambrennan
My creativity was sparked by COVID, of all things, and what I coined my “Quarantine Creative.” I started taking out all of my art supplies and playing with watercolor landscapes, which I called “colorscapes.” The idea was to let the water move as it wanted against the page to create a loose, abstract visual of what I saw on my daily walks. I was also taking black-and-white photos every day, focusing on line and texture. I like the idea of playing with lines that emulate horizons and layering values that create depth. Working abstractly is new to me, and I have had a lot of fun experimenting with new painting tools and different types of acrylic paints, mediums, and soluble artists’ crayons.
In my new body of work, each piece focuses on limiting my color palette and pushing color relationships while maintaining a balance of tone and movement. With that movement, I really want to explore what sound looks like, particularly in nature. My love of color motivates me most in creating my art. I’m endlessly caught up in the colors found and created in nature, no matter where I am in the world.
Growing up and living in New England has been very influential because of the ever-changing seasons, the continuously moving landscape found along the coast, and the way the light makes everything seem different from day to day. The naturally occurring color combinations found while spending time outdoors inspire me to try to create those connections in my paintings. I am working to see if I can visually depict sound within a landscape.
Does sound have a color?
Does color make a noise?
I have had the pleasure of working with local artists at the Frame Center in Hanover, MA, for 25 years. Post-COVID, the Frame Center began enhancing its showroom and gallery spaces. We decided to utilize the open space to showcase original artwork by local artists. Our goal is to create a safe space for the community to enjoy and celebrate their art without the pressures of a traditional gallery.
I find that I really enjoy pushing people to share and celebrate their work, which in turn has inspired me to try new things in my own artwork and to put myself out there in a way I never have before.
