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Meet Brenda Fox

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Fox.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I remember my father and I drawing and painting together since I was a little girl and continued to do art as I grew up. When I was in 8th grade, my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Well, naturally since my mom, dad and grandmother had all been teachers I blurted out, “An art teacher!” His response was kind and caring stating, “Why do you want to be an art teacher? They are usually the first ones cut from the program. And you can’t expect to sell your art on a street corner.” Funny, how I ended up pursuing a masters degree in art therapy and as of today I have my paintings being sold at not just one gallery but two. Not quite on a corner but pretty close.

I had some vacation time that I needed to take or else I would lose it. I recalled seeing a flyer or something about Iconography somewhere, so I was curious about those odd-looking images that I’d learned about in an art history class. So, after a google search, I enrolled in my first iconography workshop and drove out to Pecos, NM not knowing what to expect.

While I was painting in the class, Peter, the instructor, peered over my shoulder a couple of times.

He asked me, “So, you’ve never done this before?” Me, “no.” And he said, “Huh!” and walk away. He came back later and said, “So, what do you do for a living?” “I’m an art therapist,” I replied. “Huh,” he said and walked away again. Needless to say, I had no idea what he was thinking but, I felt like I must be doing something wrong. About mid-week, he pulled me aside and told me, “I don’t normally say this to my students, but, I think you have something here.” I was shocked! He encouraged me to just keep taking classes. So, I continued to study iconography with him as well at The Iconographic Institute at Mount Angel, Hexaemeron Ecclesial Arts and The Prosopone School of Iconology. Several of these instructors are from Russia and are masters in the field. I’ve also studied the history of icons by traveling to Greece, Italy, and Turkey.

Courage overcame me, and I began to paint these icons on my own at home. I took one of my icons to my next class of Peter’s, and I had three different students come up to me and ask, “So Brenda, when are you going to start teaching?” I was amazed; what? And the last person to ask me said it right in front of Peter. My quick response was, “When he says I”m ready!” Peter made a comment that signaled that he knew I was ready.

I had no intention of ever teaching iconography; however, soon thereafter a group of friends approached me and asked if I would teach them how to paint an icon. So, my first class was formed, with ten students. I’d given one of my icons away to a group of college students who had moved away from Phoenix which then found it’s way to Thibadoux, LA. A local priest saw it, love it and inquired about who painted it. Since then the doors of teaching iconography opened wide up, and I lead another retreat with 25 students. I’ve been teaching iconography since 2011 and have taught in Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Virginia and soon to be in Mississippi thus far. And because I love to travel, I have dreams of taking some of my students and teaching on cruises ships as well.

Long story short, I quit my daytime career in 2016 as an art therapist/life coach and ventured out to be a self-employed artist/iconographer, teaching and leading people into meditative icon painting retreats. This has become a new definition of and a different form of art therapy in my experience.

Since doing so, I’ve had the privilege of sharing with communities about my iconography. From interviews on various radio shows to calendar and magazine publications as well as sharing through powerpoint presentations. I was also invited to showcase at the RAW ARTISTS event last year in Phoenix and can do so again in the city of my choice.

Please tell us about your art.
I paint sacred images also known as icons. Iconography is an ancient form of art that portrays the use of images and symbols to represent ideas or meaning of a religious figure or story. The word “eikon” is a Greek word and means “image.” They are considered, “Windows into heaven” or Windows into the Divine.” The icons that I paint are from the Judeo-Christian tradition which in ancient days depicted the Biblical stories that were painted on the walls of the church. They told the story of salvation history before there were any written texts of scripture. Thus, the practice of painting is also referred to as “writing” an icon. Another way to look at these images is to see it as theology in picture form. A lot of these images can be found in Greek and Russian Orthodox churches as well as Byzantine Catholic Churches all over the world.

These images are painted while quietly praying an ancient prayer with every brushstroke. The tradition has it that the monks used to endure intense fasting before painting such holy images.

There is a quietness about icons, they sort of draw you into themselves, and I think are somewhat mysterious. When writing the icon, I find myself able to quiet my soul and it’s become a meditative practice. A big part of what I do is teach people how to paint these icons in a retreat like format. There seems to be a growing desire for people to step outside of the fast-paced, busy world and come to the quiet. My retreats offer a way to slow down, meditate, pray and find a new sense of community with other students. We listen to Gregorian Chant music while we paint. They also discover that with guided instruction they can and have created an image that brings them joy and inspiration. Most of my students have never picked up a paintbrush before and are amazed at the work they have done. This inspires me as well.

Another essence of inspiration for me is that some of my students have testified that they have experienced some sort of healing either emotional, physical or both while painting and praying these icons into existence. As a Board Certified Art Therapist, this touches my heart, and I find that this practice is very therapeutic not only for myself but for my students as well.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I’ve learned that a true artist can not, NOT do his or her art. The creative spirit needs to be expressed because there is much healing that occurs when we do art. Art materials can get expensive; however, there are creative ways to get what you need to express yourself. One idea is to create collages; found images and items that are laying around the house. Or use the internet to find generic non-copy written images for collaging.

Offer to hang your work in local businesses or coffee shops, set up an Etsy shop or begin selling your work through social media. Sell your artwork, take that money and invest it into the supplies you need. You can also create a website inexpensively too. I’ve found that since going into business for myself, all of my art supplies and practically everything else I do related to my art business is a write-off.

There are some art stores that may be willing to donate art supplies for a good cause…be creative on how you approach them. I understand that there are grants out there too for artists. Again, if you serve a good cause for the community, you may be a sure bet to be granted some funds.

Also, there are some art mentors out there on the internet that can help guide you along.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My icons can be found and purchased at The Sacred Art Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ as well as Seraphym Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. There are four of my icons displayed in the chapel at St Timothy Catholic Church, Mesa, AZ and in private homes. I also create icons on commission. My website displays a variety of my work as well as photos of students in session. I can be reached through my website and am available to discuss the possibility of setting up an Icon Retreat in your area.

I’ve also created icon gifts from photographs taken of my original icons, such as jewelry, candles, journals, keychains, ornaments, greeting cards, and icon panel boards which can be purchased on my Etsy shop.

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Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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