Bridget Mary Brenda McCann was born in 1958 in Blackrock, Co, Dublin, Ireland. She studied at the ´Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design´ specialisations were sculpture and graphics. In Nederland she studied at the ‘Amsterdamse Hoge School voor de Kunsten’, where she received her degree in teaching the History of Art and Culture. Her work has an abstract-expressionistic style with a strong use o
f colour, and with the emphasis on the use of light, has a deep passion for the colour blue.
“The actual method of applying paint varies; however, to the doors of opportunity I throw open…. As I am painting a piece of paint forms in a context which makes it an object trouve. I try to hold on to that and expand it and, if successful, an entire image will emerge of which I had not being conscious, but it has asserted itself. Unseen worlds and dimensions are giving image…. When possible I reserve the mornings for work- especially during the precious light of winter.”
McCann’s reflections on historical themes express deeply felt reactions to her past, love for the sea and Irish landscape, and many years of working with plants, through contempory eyes. The Irish landscape that is etched in to her eye fleece, as she explains, will always remain and shows itself unconsciously at regular and sometimes unexpected intervals. There is also a fond kinship and influences to her first original Irish masters such as Le Brocquy and J.B.Yeats, their free spirit, style of painting and expressive use of colour. Side activities:
1983 – 2021 Active Visual Artist exhibitions solo and group, national and international. Member of the artists association Tengel Zaanstreek. Volksvlijt 2015-2016 new perspective for the Amsterdam metropolitan region regio
Church Watch 2011-2019 Boniface Church Zaandam
Member Tengel 1992-2019 independent platform for artists
Gardener 2013-2019 Allotment Garden Association Nut and pleasure, located in Zaandam
Volunteer 2019-2019 Teacher School Garden ÖBS, Het Voor Zaan, Zaandam. Past
2000 – 2004 Workshops Atelier – CKV, Augustinus College Amsterdam Z.O.
1987 – 1999 Drawing / Painting teacher. Private lessons for Adults and Children.
1990 – 1995 Chairman of the artists' association Het Oog van Zien. Municipality of Zaanstad
1990 – 1991 Asylum Seekers Center. Zaanstad Project: Exhibition Contact. Organization and guidance.
