A lifelong artist, Jeanette Brewer’s work features snapshots of life, as well as multi-piece journeys. Her acrylics are currently being featured in her one-woman show, Moments in Time, at the Porterville Art Association Gallery, with an artist’s reception on Friday, August 4. The exhibit will run through September 8.
Brewer grew up in Porterville and graduated from Porterville High. She majored in art at Cal State, Fresno and also took classes at Porterville College.
“I paint events that have happened, that inspire me to paint,” Brewer said, “including children, animals and insects.
“My African designs tell a story around the room – of the underground railroad and the Black American cowboy.
“The Underground Railroad influence was inspired by my son Sean’s graduation from Northridge State University. He asked me to paint some paintings that had women of the underground compared to women of the Bible. These were displayed in a show he put together titled, Mother Weep No More.
“The Black American Cowboys are also historical facts. The characters I chose were through a personal friend of my family, and a little known fact about what most thought they knew about the Lone Ranger. Sometimes my mother, who is 103 this month, inspires me by just talking about what she has experienced, and by being my toughest critic.”
Brewer’s single works represent a different moment – sometimes something in the garden. Like the time she looked out the window and saw a hummingbird in a holding pattern.
On closer examination the bird was nose-to-nose with a dragonfly, she said. There wasn’t time to grab a camera. She took a mental picture, which later she transferred onto canvas.
Now retired, Brewer has more time to paint, she said. She has held shows and had work in exhibits in Los Angeles and all across the San Joaquin Valley. While some of her original art is available, she tends to hang onto it – however, reproductions can be made of most of her work she said.
Brewer lives in Porterville with her mother and two of her sisters.
The artist’s reception will be held at 5pm at the gallery, 151 N. Main Street in Porterville.
The Porterville Art Association gallery and gift shop are open Wednesday – Saturday. For more information, call (559) 784-4323.