We were lucky to catch up with Brenda Ciardiello recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brenda, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were role models in many ways but foremost, they modeled a willingness to work hard and take risks to achieve their goals. They chose to immigrate to the United States, leaving lives behind to pursue their dreams and the best life possible for our family. Because of that choice, I’ve led a life full of opportunity and have always worked to be honest and hardworking as well. My parents also taught me the value of believing in myself and taking pride in who I am – that manifested in pride for my Mexican culture, but also in pride of my bicultural upbringing when I chose to live in other countries as an adult. Being “different” allowed me to be accepting of others and to champion being open-minded over making quick judgments. These are all behaviors that were modeled for me by my parents. My parents were also both creative in their own ways. My mother loved to draw and always admired art, and my dad had an ice sculpting business. I don’t know that I ever thought of them as artists, but they were.

Brenda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Mexican-American artist and poet. I compose contemporary, nature-inspired art that deals with nature as a means of understanding ourselves. I am heavily influenced by my bicultural and international upbringing, as well as my role as a mother. Born in Mexico City but raised in Texas, I have also lived / studied in several other countries including Italy, the U.K., New York City, New England, the Rocky Mountains and the Middle East. As part of my process, My work is all about connection – to nature, to each other – and what that means in terms of existence and meaning. I hope my work inspires contemplation but also that it brings beauty to those who interact with it. I believe that creating, sharing and experiencing beauty is a hugely important part of the human experience and hope to explore it through my work. I love to travel to immerse myself in nature and culture and capture original source imagery for my work. I mostly paint in watercolor, but I also love photography and poetry and combine all of these mediums in my work. This year I was also fortunate enough to be chosen to paint a mural in downtown Fort Worth near Sundance Square which holds a message very dear to my heart. I encourage people to go see it at 601 E. 2nd Street, Fort Worth, 76102.

I currently live and work in Fort Worth where I regularly show my work locally and also do commissions for clients, but education is a huge part of my profession as well: I regularly teach workshops both independently and through museums such as the Amon Carter Museum of American Art where I was a Carter Community Artist in 2021. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Classical Civilizations from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science in Education from The City College of New York, and I am currently pursuing my MFA at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Apart from creating things that provoke discussion and thought, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is sharing my perspective with others – and teaching them that being creative is more about a way of thinking than a set of skills. I encounter a lot of people who say “I’m not creative – I can’t draw” and I always like to tell them that literally anyone can learn to draw. It’s a learned skill! But being creative is more than just drawing or painting or sculpting – it’s learning to appreciate a new way of looking at the world around you, whether that means learning to break images down into geometric forms, or appreciating the poetry of a landscape, it’s an art to see and be able to express the meaning you see imbued in everyday things around you. I love sharing that.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am currently pursuing my MFA at Lesley University based in Cambridge, MA. It’s a low-residency program that allows me to work from my studio in Fort Worth most of the year, but I also get to spend two weeks in Cambridge twice a year where I participate in coursework and critiques. I am, of course, very driven to complete this degree, both because I find art fascinating and want to improve my skills and my access to opportunities, but what’s driving me to pursue this degree in the first place is the opportunity to eventually work with interesting institutions that will allow me to show thought-provoking work as well as to work with community. I believe art is essential in creating meaning in our lives in so many ways – through education, through pleasure, through discussion, and I want to be a part of that dynamic community that provides space and context where people can think, question, discuss and continue to expand our way of thinking.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brendaciardiello.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendaciardiello.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaCiardielloArt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaciardiello/