Born 1962 into a creative family, Brenda Lee Vang took delight in visual day-dreaming--comparing and contrasting colors, shapes, and textures of her rural surroundings. Her childhood home was alive with artwork and music-making, which helped shaped her appreciation of intuitively expressive art.

The 1982/83 academic year presented B. L. Vang with the opportunity to travel Europe and to live, study, and work in an English castle via St. Cloud State University. www.alnwickcastle.com/universitybase.php

Vang earned her BFA degree with Distinction from the California College of the Arts. The year 2007 marked the centennial of the founding of CCA. www.cca.edu

In 2007, the University of Northern Colorado awarded Ms. Vang the Master of Arts degree with Honors and the Graduate Dean's Award for Outstanding Thesis.

B. L. Vang has produced editorial illustrations, graphic designs, theatrical stage sets, and courtroom sketches. While oil on canvas remains her preferred medium for fine art, she also enjoys working with sumi-e traditions and simple monotype methods.

In 2002 Brenda Vang married cellist James Fittz. They live in Denver, Colorado in an 1890 bungalow just large enough to accommodate her painting studio and his luthier workshop and music room. Together they enjoy skiing, sailing, and woodworking.

Education:

Master of Arts degree, Honors, Award for Outstanding Achievement, University of Northern Colorado, 2007

Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Distinction, California College of Arts, 1988

International Studies Program, England, via St. Cloud State University, 1982/83

Associate of Arts degree, Alexandria Technical College, 1981