Brenda Roberson

Brenda Roberson has explored many mediums in her visual art career. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, in her early twenties she took drawing classes using charcoal, ink washes, and pastel at Watkins Institute of Art. “I studied there for four years,” says Brenda. Later, while living in the Atlanta area, she spent three years studying oil and acrylic painting at the Spruill Art Center in Dunwoody, Georgia. Inspired by early teacher and regionally known artist, Anton Weiss, Brenda eventually brought her aspirations to St. Augustine. Allured here in retirement by close friendships, warm sun, and beautiful beaches, Brenda expanded her creative horizons. “I began taking watercolor classes at the Riverhouse Senior Center,” she says. “I also worked from online tutorials.” Today, Brenda works mainly with watercolors. “My work has almost an acrylic look due to my prior training,” she says. “I have a whimsical approach to my works of birds, turtles, and coastal creatures.” With a profound appreciation of history and nature, Brenda immerses herself in St. Augustine’s architecture, flora, and coastal beauty. “I am drawn to clean black and white pictures, as demonstrated in my corridor perspective of the Lightner Museum,” she says. “I also utilize the subtle effect of colored pencils in some of my work.” With the future goal of expanding her body of coastal art, increasing her historical renderings, and combining her work in acrylics, watercolors, and texturing, Brenda is grateful for her time at High Tide Gallery. “It has been a fulfilling experience,” she says. “I am grateful for the Nelsons’ vision of how my coastal themes fit the energy of their gallery.”