Plein Air Series, 2018
Art New England, Plein Air with Brian Rego @ Bennington College, Vermont
Bennington Fels, Acrylic on canvas (plein air), 14” x 16”, 2018
Dickinson Science Hall, Acrylic on canvas (plein air), 9” x 12”, 2018
Split, Acrylic on canvas (plein air), 10” x 4”, 2018
Subaru Hiding From Mountain With Overbearing Mom Complex, Acrylic on canvas, 10" x 4", 2018
Center for the Advancement of Public Action, Acrylic on linen (plein air), 14” x 16”, 2018
1st Place - deCordova Museum Plein Air Competition, 2018
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Acrylic on wood panel
24" x 24" 2019 |
Scollay Square Gallery, Boston City Hall, October 2018
Txáda (Large Field)
Acrylic and ink on hand dyed canvas
22" x 30"
2018
Acrylic and ink on hand dyed canvas
22" x 30"
2018
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Horticultural Heroes
On View: March 5th – May 12th, 2019
"This spring Tower Hill will celebrate heroes from the plant world and encourage viewers to become heroes in their communities. This one-of-a-kind exhibit features portraits by local artists of diverse leaders of horticulture, including marginalized groups, who have championed their causes throughout history."
"This spring Tower Hill will celebrate heroes from the plant world and encourage viewers to become heroes in their communities. This one-of-a-kind exhibit features portraits by local artists of diverse leaders of horticulture, including marginalized groups, who have championed their causes throughout history."
Nipmuc Princess White Flower, Zara Ciscoe Brough
Mixed Media on Wood
18" x 24"
2019
Collection of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Mixed Media on Wood
18" x 24"
2019
Collection of Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Zara Ciscoe Brough or Princess White Flower, was the Chief of the Nipmuc Native American Tribe for 25 years until 1987. In addition to being an engineer, fashion designer and supervisor of government projects, she was an active member in many organizations including the Grafton Forest Association. Zara worked to preserve the Nipmuc heritage in petitioning for federal recognition and in 2007 her legacy was further preserved through the naming of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services Facility in Westborough. This facility allows at risk youth an opportunity learn about horticulture and globally sustainable practices. This portrait created for Horticultural Heroes serves to preserve Zara’s image and legacy. Few photos of Princess White Flower exist and those that do are black and white or grainy in quality. To interpret Zara’s regalia from her photos with the closest accuracy possible I worked together with Wampanoag tribal member Tia Marie Pocknett, Linguist-in-Residence at Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, to identify the patterns and materials Zara most likely wore.
The background of this painting has patterns made of white paper floral shapes mounted on wood to not only reference Princess White Flower, but to also evoke a feeling of nature. The Nipmuc insignia is placed behind Zara who stands proud just above the viewer. Humanism during the Renaissance contributed to a Western expectation of portraiture that focuses solely on the individual. A Naturalism point of view can depict a human subject to be small or virtually non-existent to mirror the notion of humanity’s minuscule place within the vast cosmos. In comparison to the white flower background and tribal insignia, Zara’s form does not take up the full composition, reflecting a belief in a balance between man and nature.
The background of this painting has patterns made of white paper floral shapes mounted on wood to not only reference Princess White Flower, but to also evoke a feeling of nature. The Nipmuc insignia is placed behind Zara who stands proud just above the viewer. Humanism during the Renaissance contributed to a Western expectation of portraiture that focuses solely on the individual. A Naturalism point of view can depict a human subject to be small or virtually non-existent to mirror the notion of humanity’s minuscule place within the vast cosmos. In comparison to the white flower background and tribal insignia, Zara’s form does not take up the full composition, reflecting a belief in a balance between man and nature.
