original art
Brenda Hofbauer
Artist Bio
Brenda Hofbauer is a Bryan, Ohio-based multimedia artist who is best known for her unique, intricate paper collages created from papers she handprints. Whether she works in collage, oil or mixed media, her contemporary impressionistic artwork has recurring themes of nature, shadows and reflections.
​
From her early background and education in fashion and textiles (AA, BS, MS), Hofbauer's creative interests have evolved to focus on painting and collage.
Hofbauer’s foray into collage started when her husband challenged her to create his portrait out of cigar bands. In the years since the success of that piece, she has developed her own process to create collages that result in powerful statements made of paper and adhesive.
​
Hofbauer is represented by Gallery 317 in Bryan, Ohio. She regularly exhibits in regional juried and non-juried shows and has won many prizes including some coveted Best of Show Awards. In June 2024, she was featured artist at Orchard Gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and sold 7 collages. Her memberships include the Athena Art Society of Toledo and the Black Swamp Art Guild of Williams County, Ohio.
​
Hofbauer is currently preparing for a solo show at Gallery 317 in 2027 and continues to experiment and push the limits of the collage medium.
​
​
Artist Statement
.jpg)
REPRESENTATION AND EXHIBITS​
-
2024-present – Representation by Gallery 317, Bryan, Ohio
-
June 2024 – Featured artist, Orchard Gallery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
​
SELECTED AWARDS
-
2023 Toledo Federation of Art Societies Juried Members’ Exhibition Best of Show
-
2023 Athena Art Society Juried Fall Exhibition 3rd Place
-
2011 -present Wassenberg Art Center juried exhibitions - numerous awards
-
2016-present Black Swamp Art Guild Annual Fall Show – numerous awards including Best of Show, People’s Choice and 1st Place
​
​
My artwork is a result of an intense need to create, and a love for experimentation. The collages and paintings produced are contemporary impressionistic studies that are snapshots of my life. My work is representational with degrees of abstraction. I want to make creative, innovative art that I love and that others can marvel at. By constantly looking for inspiration and experimenting with new techniques, my work stays fresh.
Often working from photos I’ve taken on my travels, my artwork is inspired by the world surrounding me. Nature, shadows and reflections are common themes. I simplify, embellish and transform until my unique voice shines through. While landscapes comprise a good portion of my portfolio, I also enjoy creating portraits and figurative works.
I work in several mediums, but gravitate toward paper collage and oil paint. Sometimes I paint with acrylics and add collage elements. The creative process for my intricate collages is like doing a puzzle without pieces, using only acrylic medium and papers I print. My unique process has developed over time, pulling from my strengths: extreme manual dexterity, patience and perception of color. The goal is to engage a viewer from across a room and reward them with surprises as they come close.
My art journey has enriched my life. I work hard at producing the very best artwork I possibly can. I can't wait to see where it will lead me next.
​