About Page
Artist Statement
In 2006, after 25 years as a firefighter and fire officer for the New York City Fire Department, Brenda Berkman retired to pursue a life-long desire to create art. Having no formal training, she began to draw and paint, trying out different media. Her initial experiment in print-making was to make block prints of her three favorite New York icons the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Chrysler building. In January 2008, Brenda began studying printmaking at the Art Students League (New York, NY).
Most of her current work is in lithography (drawing on and printing off a stone)and copperplate etching. She is continually inspired by New York City but is also creating images that embody female energy and strength as well political critiques. Brenda prints all of her own work, and really enjoys the technical as well as the creative side of printmaking.
For more information about Brenda's firefighting career, see the PBS 2006 documentary "Taking the Heat."
Exhibitions
6/6-6/7/09
Brooklyn, NY
Atlantic Avenue Artwalk 09
8/09
Bronxville Public Library, Bronxville, NY
Prints and Paintings from the Art Students League of NY
9/2009
Bi-Damas Gallery, Osaka, Japan
La Tabie de Fabre
12/09
New York, NY
Art Students League Holiday Show
03/21/2008
Java Studios, Brooklyn, NY
5 Years: Artists Reflect on the War in Iraq
06/07/2008
Brooklyn, NY
Atlantic Avenue Artwalk 08