Artist Profile - Denice Van Waardenburg

It's a new month. With it, I am posting the first Artist of the Month article. These articles put a spotlight on artists who have been featured previously in Brevard Florida Live Magazine. Because their full story has been published before, the artist of the month article will give you an update on what's going on with them now. Enjoy the piece... (Note: The regular issue of Brevard Art News follows the Artist of the Month article.)

Artist Profile - Denice Van Waardenburg

You can rarely open a newspaper, magazine, or newsletter in this area without seeing some mention of Denice Van Waardenburg. She is one of the most prolific artists I have met and has become involved in the many art events offered in Brevard County.

Denice's medium is oil on porcelain. In 1973, she was introduced to china painting while living in Brazil. Back then, she painted the traditional way including flowers, fruit and traditional designs. Then, because she was born in Africa, she became drawn to express her passion for the wildlife native to Africa. After she learned the techniques, she started to paint the subjects that were of greater interest to her, such as elephants, tigers, and other wildlife seen in Africa.

Denice exhibits her beautiful artwork throughout the county, and she has been the subject of magazine articles internationally. She has won many awards for her work. Most recently, she won Honorable Mention in the art exhibit at the Zoo.

Denice has a busy fall schedule. If you want the see her work in person, visit one of the events listed here.

Her piece called "Massai Warrior" a portrait of a warrior from Kenya will be on display throughout September in the 100%Pure Florida exhibit at the Fifth Avenue Gallery on Highland Avenue. The opening reception for the exhibit is on September 5, 2008, from 5:30 to 8:00 at the gallery. The public is welcome. She got the idea for this piece from the National Geographic.

In October, Denice will be exhibiting with four other members of the Brevard Porcelain Artists at the Art and Antique Studio at 1419 Highland Avenue in Eau Gallie. The opening for that show will be on the first Friday of October (10/3/08). She will display paintings as well as vases.

Denice is a member of the Strawbridge Art League and has a piece in their Landmarks exhibit that is traveling the county. The show will be on exhibit in the Harris Gallery at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts during October. She has a wonderful rendition of the Brevard Symphony House in that show. The opening for that exhibit is Thursday, October 2, 2008, from 4pm to 6pm. The public is welcome to attend the opening reception.

On November 1st from 8am to 2pm, she will show and sell her works in the bazaar at the Suntree United Methodist Church on Wickham Avenue in Suntree.

Denice is a member of the Central Brevard Art Association and will participate in their show at Heritage Isle Community Clubhouse off Wickham Road, West of I-95. This event is on November 8th and 9th from 10pm to 5pm.

Also in November, the Brevard Porcelain Artists will be exhibiting in the Harris Gallery at the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts. She will exhibit with this group from November 4th through the 28th. The opening for this show will be on Thursday, November 6, 2008, from 4pm to 6pm. This is open to the public.

Still more in November... She will have her works in the Brevard Porcelain Artists show called Touch of Elegance at the Eau Gallie Civic Center on November 22 and 23 from 10am to 5pm each day. The admission to this event is free and door prizes are awarded. Denice will be present for the show, so stop by to meet her.

The Fifth Avenue Gallery on Highland Avenue in Eau Gallie features a Holiday Boutique during November and December. You will find Denice's beautiful porcelain ornaments in that sale among the other holiday items.

In the new year, Denice will be in one more show at the Harris Gallery in the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts. She will be in the Small Works Show in March. The opening for that show will be on March 5 , 2009, from 4pm to 6pm. The public is welcome.

Because the community has been so supportive of her works on porcelain, Denice prices her pieces so they are affordable and accessible to the public. When asked where she gets the motivation for her painting, Denice said, "My love for painting wildlife on porcelain stems from dedication to nature and my love for Africa and the rekindled global interest in preservation of endangered species."

If you'd like to contact Denice about her work, call 321-255-3746. And to see more of her beautiful paintings, visit her website at http://home.earthlink.net/~djjvw/