‘House of the Dragon’ heroines, Long Island beauty

With Targaryen-haired maidens abound, artist Renee Brown’s work, feminine figures amidst a blast of color and extreme light, invites the audience to ruminate on epic stories and sage individuality.

On Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Bay Area of Friends of Fine Arts (BAFFA) Gallery in the Gillette House in downtown Sayville, Brown’s work will be on exhibit.

Titled “Overcoming Thoughts,” the portraits belie a self-reflective touch and communion with nature and euphoric cosmos that are brought out in dueling color palettes between the human figure and the audacious backdrop they inhabit.

According to Brown, the collection is “vivid imagery of humans embracing nature in a search for solitude.”

A New York-based artist, Brown became engaged with hyperrealism while attending the Hartford Art School.

Brown earned her B.F.A. in painting with a minor in art history. In 2016, she was the first recipient of the Helen Charleton Scholarship for her work in portraiture. Brown’s work was included in the Five Point Gallery 2017 juried Biennial, the New York Academy SURP Exhibition, and the Contemporary Portrait juried exhibition at the East End Art Gallery in Riverhead, where she received an honorable mention.

“As a lifelong resident of Long Island, I’m often inspired by the beautiful landscape and wildlife around me. I love the rich woods, serene marshlands, and vast fields. One foot into some of these places feels like entering a new world. I’ve also studied birds since I was a child. That connection inspires me and seeps into my paintings. They often represent my emotions, and my mental state at the time.  The peaceful landscapes and powerful wildlife soaring around me allow me to disconnect and melt away. I hope to capture those moments where I can find tranquility and invite others to feel the same way,” said Brown.