A title:
Assigning a title is a good place to start but, “what’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” A Handyman? An Artist? A Craftsperson who designs? A Designer who crafts? Say he merely be an inquisitive tinkerer, sculptor, or perhaps a painter. Titles are limiting and limits to a creative person, restrict absolute access to their potential. In general terms, let’s call Brandon a ‘Maker.’
The path of a Maker:
Brandon grew up, lives, and works within Bucks County Pennsylvania. As a child playing was to draw, build forts in the wood and spend eternities stacking Leggos. These activities ingrained themselves in him and set Brandon on a path for a creative life. In Grade school he gravitated toward shop classes where his interest in woodworking was encouraged to the point were a special ‘independent studies’ course was made for him to continue his learning of the craft. Brandon later attended West Chester University and earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts focusing on oil painting and sculpture. After University he moved to Philadelphia to work with his family’s home remodeling company. While there he learned the ways of the carpenter, the efforts of hard labor, and the value that time and patience play in executing exquisite work. Aspiring to stay true to his ‘Artist’ title Brandon started experimenting by developing his own methods and style of furniture from discarded cut offs and salvaging timbers. During this time Brandon met a retired wood artist who would become his mentor and who reinvigorated his love for fine woodworking. After 2 years living in the city he retuned to Bucks county to pursue the Arts. He became a painting instructor and an apprentice to a painting preservationist all while being a freelance furniture maker and Artist. In 2015 Brandon joined the George Nakashima Woodworkers team as an apprentice building conservationist, a documentarian, and woodworker. Today he is a full time woodworker with the Nakashima team and also creates Brandon originals from his home shop. In his free time he enjoys hiking, travel, exercising, and enjoys most of all his cat Angus.
CV
Education
2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts & Art History Minor ,
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
2011 Study abroad Guizhou University, Guiyang China
2010 Visual Arts Summer Camp Counselor
Academic Dean’s list 2010, 2011, 2012
Magna Cum Laude
Campus Mural Project Designer/Painter
Gallery Apprentice
Exhibitions
2015 & 2017
-Works in Wood, New Hope Arts, New Hope Pennsylvania Juror’s Award 2017.
2015
- Solo exhibition, Swan Creek Studio, Lambertville New Jersey.
-Juried Sculpture Show, New Hope Arts, New Hope Pennsylvania. Third in Show Award
-Juried Painting Show, Artists of Yardley, Yardley Pennsylvania.
-Salvage city, Solo exhibition, United By Blue, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
2014
-Absolutely Abstract, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Third in Show Award
-Solo Exhibition, Circle of Hope Gallery, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
2013
-Grand Opening, Starboard Side Art Gallery, Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
2012-2013
-Solo Show, Francis Harvey Green Library, West Chester University, West Chester Pennsylvania.
2012
-Chris White Gallery Group Show, Chris White Gallery, Wilmington Delaware
-Senior Art Exhibition, West Chester University’s New Gallery at E.O. Bull -Center for the Arts, West Chester Pennsylvania.
2011
-Student exhibition, Guizhou University, Guiyang China
-Plein Air Brandywine Valley Competition & Show, Tatnall High School, New Castle Delaware.