I paint, because I have a compulsion to paint. In my studio, minutes become hours and my painting becomes my reality. Inspired by energy and colors found in nature, my work focuses on textured, abstract compositions.
I use acrylic paint and various mediums, choosing colors intentionally to add meaning. I use my tools (sponges, bamboo skewers, palette knives, etc.) in a relentless, repetitive way where the process becomes part of the painting. I enjoy adding and removing layers of paint, adding texture, and manipulating the surface of the canvas until I create an inviting, surprising new world for the viewer to enter.
Born near Philadelphia, PA, Colleen studied drawing and painting at Moravian College and then continued her studies at Fleisher Art Memorial for the next 15+ years. While she was trained in various mediums including formal oil painting, acrylic painting is her passion.
She loves experimenting with the textures of various mediums and how color can appear rich yet nuanced on the canvas. Her work focuses on abstract color field paintings and is meant to encourage the viewer to look beyond the horizon and contemplate the forces of nature. Inspiration for her work comes from studying the color field paintings of Mark Rothko and the minimalist paintings of Agnes Martin.
Colleen exhibits her work across the United States and her work is part of private collections internationally. In 2000, she won Best of Show at Moravian College in their Celebrating Women show. In 2013, she won first place for her painting "Smoky Horizon" at The Plastic Club Gallery in Philadelphia, PA which was juried by Karen Baumeister. In 2014, she won first place for her painting "Puddle Dance" at Fleisher Art Memorial, juried by Shelley Langdale, Associate Curator, Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2017, she received Honorable Mention for her painting "Untitled" at Fleisher Art Memorial. In 2018, she received second place for her painting "Going Coastal" at Fleisher Art Memorial, juried by Sophia Sanders.
Colleen believes that art is something that comes from within and is to be shared with the community. When not exhibiting her paintings or teaching classes locally, she paints in her home studio located near Philadelphia, PA.
2018
Reconfiguration, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
Honorable Mention for See the Forest for the Trees
Juror: Rick Snyderman
Member/Student Show, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Second Place for Going Coastal, Abstract Painting Category
Juror: Sophie Sanders
2017
Member/Student Group Show, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Honorable Mention for Untitled, Works on Paper Category (Painting Intuitively)
2014
Member/Student Group Show, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
First Place for Puddle Dance, Painting Category (Painting Intuitively)
Juror: Shelley Langdale, Associate Curator, Prints and Drawings,
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2013
Scapes, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
First Place for Smoky Horizon,
Juror: Karen Baumeister, Adjunct
Professor at Montgomery County Community College and Faculty at Fleisher Art Memorial
2011
Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Third Place, Best of Print
2000
Celebrating Moravian Women, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA
Best of Show
2017
"Abstract artist puts ‘pouring paint’ Brand on display," Chestnut Hill Local, April 2017
2016
MRAC Art Exhibit, City Suburban, June 2016
2015
"'Evolving Horizon' Exhibition Shows Works by Colleen Brand," May 2015
2013
"Smoky Horizon Wins First Place at Scapes Show", The Plastic Club, November 2013
Dr. Kuspit, Donald, "Why I Chose What I Chose," originally posted on Delaware Community College
website, September 2013
"Women in Charge," SOHO20, July 2013
2021 - Present
InLiquid, Philadelphia
2016 - Present
Northwest Artist's Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
2014 - Present
Sweet Mabel, Narberth, PA
2017
Painting Intuitively and Energizing Your Work, Greater Norristown Art League, E. Norristown, PA
October 10
2014
Demo on Acrylic Painting, Whitemarsh Art Center, Whitemarsh, PA
February 22
2023
Colorful Visions, Solomon Levy Gallery at Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG), Philadelphia, PA
2022
Colorful Horizons, Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2021
Beyond the Brush, Moravian University, Bethlehem, PA
2019
Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Easttown Library, Berwyn, PA
2016
Darlington Arts Center, Garnet Valley, PA
Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2015
Gryphon Cafe, Rosemont, PA
Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, PA
Darlington Arts Center, Garnet Valley, PA
Sweet Mabel, Narberth, PA
Alliance Bank, Concord, PA
2013
Race Street Cafe, Philadelphia, PA
Balance Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Rittenhouse Park
2022
Colorways, Gallery at Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
NewNow V, InLiquid Gallery, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Radical Love Show, Eclipse Center for Creative Community, Lansdale, PA
2021
New Normal: Working through Quarantine, Payne Gallery at Moravian University, Bethlehem, PA
2020
Colors/Shapes of Summer, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Fairmount Arts Crawl, 1714 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Dear Fleisher Invitational, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
2017
9th Annual Westhampton Beach Festival of the Arts, Westhampton Beach, NY
2016
6th Annual Community Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015
2015 National Painting Show, North Valley Art League, Redding, CA
2014 - 2015
Annual Juried Show, Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
2014
Small Worlds, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
2013
Lucky 13, Mesquite Fine Arts Center Gallery, Mesquite, NV
Seven Deadly Sins, RRCA North Gallery, Millville, NJ
Scapes, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
1st Place
215/610, Delaware County Community College (DCCC) Art Gallery, Media, PA
Women in Charge, Soho20 Gallery, New York, NY
2012
Absolutely Abstract, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA
2011
The French Connection, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
