Artist Statement:
“I paint what I know from my home and life.”

Born and raised in Provincetown, artist Brenda Silva has drawn upon her and her family’s fishing life upon the sea as inspiration as an artist. At a very early age Silva’s talent as an artist was recognized in an international competition for young artists, earning her an award. This early recognition created a lasting memory for her of the feelings an artist receives when someone values their work as much as the artist does. Even so, upon graduating from Provincetown High School, Silva was faced with deciding to go to Art School or Music School, showing an early interest and talent in both. Her choice was music.

After teaching music in the Provincetown School system for 20 years, a career change among other life changes left Silva yearning to return to the easel.  Silva chose to return to painting, starting what has become a journey that continues to this day. Basically self-taught, Silva found that painting came naturally to her when turning to her heritage for inspiration. Images of fishing fleets and the fishing history well-known to fishing families are often subjects prominent in her work. Having owned a commercial fishing vessel opened Silva’s eyes to the hardships that life on the sea can stress upon a fishing family and the generations that follow it, as well as the resiliency needed to survive such a life. Though Silva’s paintings reflect these aspects, she also captures the more gentle side of the sea, recreating its beauty and intense color of the landscape of which it is born.

In addition to her land and seascape paintings,  Silva also has a passion for capturing the spirit and essence of animals, creating memorable pet portraits for her collectors. Her work is collected regionally and nationally. Silva is a member of the Provincetown Arts Association and Museum where her work has frequently been exhibited.  Silva’s work is widely collected across the country.  She is represented by Cortile Gallery in Provincetown, MA.  The public may also visit Brenda Silva’s studio at the Cortile Artists Studios at 193 Commercial Street in Provincetown.