Meet Brenda Townsend | Owner and Arts Educator, Brilliant Spectrum Art

We had the good fortune to connect with multi-disciplinary artist, Brenda Townsend, Owner and Arts Educator at Brilliant Spectrum Art in Escondido, and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The pandemic changed a lot of things for everyone, some for the better. I missed my job at the California Center for the Arts Escondido in their Education Department during COVID, and I couldn’t wait to get back in the studio to teach. However, their Education Department was slow to recover, and meanwhile, the world was re-opening and I was restless to get back to teaching when I finally realized that I didn’t need any other organization behind me to make that happen!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has many facets: Scenic Design for theatre, Murals, Public Art, Residential Commissions, Textiles, Art Educator and Studio Owner, but most importantly I’m an Explorer on a Journey of Discovery! I love to try new styles and ideas, take classes, and learn about new materials and techniques…It’s exciting! My brand is expressing the joy of inspiration that I feel when I make art, and to share that joy with others when they take a class from me or see a mural or Public Art that I’ve created!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are a few great places to visit, right here in Escondido! I would take them to the Escondido Partnership Gallery downtown and check out the current show. They always have so many talented artists showing there! Then, we could check out the Escondido Alley Art exhibit, located in the alleyway between Grand Ave. and 2nd. There are nearly 100 pieces of original artwork displayed in the alley, in a plein air exhibit, accessible to all for free! Escondido recently received a mention the New York Times for this project, and I’m proud to be a participating artist, with a piece in the first phase. Then we would visit Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, a wonderous piece of outdoor sculpture located in Kit.Carson Park. One of only 3 like it in the world, this piece by artist Niki DeSaint Phalle is truly magical with its vibrant colors and textures. Go and visit, if you’ve never seen it! We would end our day with a visit to Stone and Glass, to see some truly amazing original glass works by artist James Stone, finishing up with some delicious tea and scones at the Grand Tea Room, and a friendly chat with the lovely owner, Louisa Magoon.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not have reached this point on my journey without the support of my entire family! My mom was my first art teacher, always painting with watercolors and hand-lettering signs around our house and I was immediately interested in the process, which she generously shared and was always made sure that I had art supplies. I couldn’t run Brilliant Spectrum Art without the help of my Business Manager, my husband Dan. He is always there to help me with the technical side of things, there to bounce ideas off of, and there to help with the physical duty of running classes from my home art studio. I also want to recognize my teacher, the award-winning artist, Helen Shafer Garcia. Her instruction over the last 15 years has been instrumental in helping me find my way as an artist and Arts Educator.

Website: brilliantspectrumart@gmail.com

Facebook: Brilliant Spectrum Art

Image Credits
Brenda Townsend