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| In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Indian Day Celebration at Sipayik (Pleasant Point) and Indian Township (Peter Dana Point), and with honor and respect to all elected tribal leaders, the 2015 art exhibit by Tom Brennan featured ten large portraits of past governors. CHIEFS of the ST. CROIX VALLEY was the result of considerable research as he created his impressions of tribal governors 1775-1940's with historical accuracy and respect to tribal traditions. Descendants were on hand to unveil the large central piece as original tribal drumming, singing and blessings were presented.
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In 2014 the theme of Tom's annual art exhibit was SEASCAPES. The show included a number of new paintings of Maine's seashore and rocky coastal shoreline. New works included: PASSAMAQUODDY BAY, PULPIT ROCK, RED GRANITE PILLERS, SEA BREAKERS, THE WORKNG WATERFRONT, HEADING OUT, ST. CROIX ISLAND, NAUTICAL NOCTURNE and other colorful, breathtaking seascapes. With his home located on the shore of Passamaquoddy BAy it is easy to see where the inspiration comes from for many of these new works of art.
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| Tom's 2013 works were featured in his solo exhibit titled SWEETS & TREATS. The show presented a new series of candy still-life's. Candy-making has been an integral part of the heritage of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada and Calais, Maine since the 1870's. The paintings featured a number of favorite local candies and chocolates. Each new piece showcased the artist's ability to capture true-to-life renderings. The featured showpiece was a large double-subject portrait of James & Gilbert Ganong who founded GANONG'S CHOCOLATES in 1873 at St. Stephen. The highlight of the Opening Night Reception occurred when Great-Great Granddaughters Diane & Bryana Ganong unveiled the portrait of their esteemed ancestors.
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For his 2012 annual exhibit Tom presented three dozen children's portraits he had painted through the years. The Children of the St Croix Valley show ran the month of August as an integral part of the border community's International Homecoming Festival. Many of the subjects of the paintings were on hand to see their portraits on display. Parents, grandparents and other family members were also on hand for the Opening Night reception. If you are curious about having a child's portrait completed, check out the fees and procedures page on this website.
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| Continuing a tradition, the annual art exhibit by Tom Brennan in 2011 began with the unveiling of LEVIATHAN. The triptych features two whale-watching boats and a surfacing whale off the Maine coast. State of Maine Forest Ranger Meg Scheid helped unveil the new artwork. Thirty-six paintings and drawings were part of the show. Children attending the exhibit during the opening reception were treated to individual attention to their questions by the artist. Some also received live sketches from Tom as he talked with them about the animals they liked.
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At Salem, Massachusetts on July 4th 2010 Tom's portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne & Sophia Peabody was unveiled. The unveiling began the evening's celebratory activities as guests relaxed on the lawns of the House of the Seven Gables and enjoyed the fireworks over Derby Wharf. Brennan's carefully researched painting shows the newly wedded couple upon their ARRIVAL at OLD MANSE in Concord. The artist greeted attendees and signed first edition prints of the portrait for guests and members of the House of Seven Gables Society.
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| HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a 60"x24" masterpiece, was among the ten large new paintings unveiled in July of 2009 to celebrate the Bicentennial. |
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| Unveiling a series of large paintings commissioned by the City of Calais was a high point of 2009. The committee established to organize the Bicentennial festivities decided that fine art would be a very long-lasting and significantly appropriate commemoration of the city's two-hundredth birthday. They selected Tom Brennan to complete the works. The theme was "times when our community comes together to socialize and celebrate." The result was a new series of astounding creations that incorporated real community members past and present. All paintings are now on permanent public display in the city building.
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| Paul Phelan at the unveiling of his new portrait on May 19, 2009. |
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| Paul Phelan, legendary Maine musician, band director, educator, and author was honored on May 19, 2009 when his portrait was unveiled at the annual Woodland Fine Arts Festival. Purchased by the Woodland High School Music Boosters, the portrait is now on permanent display in the school library. Preceding the evening band concert, art show and unveiling, Jeff Gagner and Phyllis Wheaton, former students of Paul Phelan, spoke of his inspirational effect and longtime commitment to the community.
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| The portrait of DARLENE, unveiled August 2008 by her husband and mother, shows three individual studies all seemingly lifelike.
Bright sunshine encircles the back of her head in each pose suggesting the sunshine of her personality and the hope she exuded regarding her faith.
The triple-portrait concept allowed her to be shown at different stages in life: girl, young mother and mature woman whose welcoming demeanor is captured in the final study in the upper right.
Your eyes are directed through the painting from youthful pose to the uppermost pose where a bright heavenly light appears to be opening for her.
Symbolic of a life devoted to faith and family one feels a sense of peace in the overall composition.
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| Open throughout August 2007, a solo exhibit of thirty-six original paintings honored Canadian and US musical greats of the St Croix Valley. Pictured above is a news photo of honorees who attended the opening reception. |
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| On permanent exhibit at Calais High School since 2005 is a series of 16"x 20" portraits of musical geniuses by Tom Brennan. Classical composers, jazz legends, country stars and rock performers appear incredibly lifelike. |
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An original portrait should always capture the essence of the subject. Heirloom pieces by Tom Brennan honoring university presidents, college faculty members, community leaders, coaches, principals, musical geniuses, and composers have been unveiled and grace public institutions as well as private homes.
Selection of an experienced portrait artist to create the best and most realistic likeness of the person to be honored should be carefully decided. The official portrait must unmistakably exude the subject's personality for future generations.
Tom Brennan has completed portraits of many wonderful people through the years. His realistic style consistently places the emphasis on the characteristics of the subject. His double portrait of THE GANONG BROTHERS from the 2013 exhibit is now on dispaly at the Chocolatier Museum in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
The next scheduled exhibit opening of original works by Tom Brennan will showcase a set of new pieces titled "SEASCAPES" of the ST CROIX VALLEY in August of 2014. His annual solo-exhibits celebrating the historic and cultural heritage of the international community along the St. Croix River between Maine and Canada are open throughout the annual International Festival each August.
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| Unveiling the portrait of the school's namesake, faculty & students participated in a dedication ceremony at Rockland, Maine. Former colleagues and the honoree's son attended the unveiling in 2005. |
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| University of Maine President Arthur S. Buswell receives his portrait by a youthful Tom Brennan. The dual portrait was also among several original works by Brennan in the 1975 college yearbook. |
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