Brighton-Area Artist Spotlight: Peggy Brewer

One of the first things Peggy Brewer did when she moved to the area from Farmington Hills 10 years ago was seek out the fellowship of other artists.

“I contacted the right away,” Brewer said. “Social contact is important for artists, and there are so many unique individuals in the guild. I enjoy their company, and I get a lot of encouragement and inspiration from them.”

Most recently, Brewer coordinated the Art at the Library program, a partnership between the BAG and the Friends of the . She and her husband, Gary, a photograph, are also patrons of the guild, and they volunteer at many of the guild's events.

Brewer's involvement with the guild has had a direct impact on her career as a mixed media artist. She sold three pieces last year during an exhibit at Cross Pointe Medical Center, and she is currently at work installing another exhibit in the building. The exhibits are one-person shows in a ongoing series of shows organized by fellow BAG member, , whose family practice is located in the Cross Pointe building.

“It's a very nice mutual relationship,” Brewer said. “So much traffic goes through the building. It's a great opportunity for them to support the community and for the artists to display their work.”

One of the pieces Brewer sold last year was purchased for Cross Pointe's permanent collection. Titled “Millpond Boardwalk,” it features a sunny summer day at .

Much of Brewer's work is inspired by encounters she's had at the park, which she referred to as “a very romantic place.” One of her favorite pieces, “Hug at Millpond,” began to take shape as Brewer was walking along the boardwalk.

“There was a couple sitting on a bench enjoying their Dairy Queen. She leaned over and hugged him so tenderly. I stopped and said, 'Would you do that again?' so I could take a picture with my cell phone,” Brewer said.

Of all the piece's details, Brewer likes the man's shaven head the best.

“I try to be true to life. Shaven heads are such a popular look, but you hardly ever see bald men in art,” Brewer said.

More than anything else, Brewer said she is inspired by people. All of the pieces that hang on the walls in her home feature people.

“I'm drawn to characters, gestures. The human experience. That's ultimately what I'd like to communicate,” Brewer said.

Brewer has always had an interest in art. She was an art major in high school and she served as art editor for the school's newspaper. After graduating from Wayne State University, she embarked on a career in coroporate communications. She returned to her art interests two decades ago when her daughter was born. Now that her daughter is in college, Brewer said she's had even more time to focus on her efforts in the last several years.

“The whole thing snowballed, and I've really enjoyed seeing my career as an artist develop,” Brewer said. “It's come full circle.”

In addition to two-dimensional pieces, including landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and figures, Brewer's body of work includes three-dimensional work in the form of art books and boxes.

“I've always loved books, and it's a fun way to incorporate my interest in writing into my art,” Brewer said.

In the future, Brewer is hoping to expand her efforts to include children's book and poetry.

Brewer will display and sell her work at the this weekend. Original works and prints will be available as well as notecards. Brewer will also give a pastel demonstration from noon – 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 14. In the meantime, you can visit Peggy Brewer's website to learn more about the artist and her work.