Brenda Pye facts for kids

Brenda Pye (born November 29, 1907 – died April 26, 2005) was an English artist. She was also known as Brenda Landon or Brenda Capron. Brenda was famous for painting portraits of people and beautiful landscapes.

Her artwork was shown in many important places. These included the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Paris Salon in France. She also showed her art at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Royal Society of British Artists. Brenda was a member of the Association of Sussex Artists too.

Brenda's Early Life

Brenda was born on November 29, 1907. She passed away in London when she was 97 years old, on April 26, 2005. She was the youngest child in her family. Her father, Walter Capron, was a lawyer. His family owned a large estate in Southwick, England.

Brenda's mother's family name was Whistler. Through her mother, Brenda was a distant cousin of the artists Rex Whistler and Sir Laurence Whistler. She was also related to the famous Anglo-American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Brenda spent her first years at Shortwood House in Somerset. Her father had retired there. In 1914, artist Henry Strachey painted a portrait of Brenda in the gardens of Shortwood House. From 1916 until she died, Brenda lived in London and Sussex.

Brenda Capron painted by Henry Strachey in 1914

Her Education in Art

Brenda studied art at home and at Eastbourne Ladies College. She then won a special scholarship to study at Eastbourne College of Art. A newspaper called The Times mentioned her work in 1925. They said her art was "particularly good."

At Eastbourne College of Art, her teachers included Eric Ravilious. Brenda won a gold medal there. This allowed her to get another scholarship. She went to Chelsea School of Art in London. There, she studied with teachers like Graham Sutherland. She also won a scholarship to travel and study art in Paris.

Starting Her Art Career

On November 12, 1929, Brenda married her first husband, E. A. R. Landon. Because of this, her early works are often listed under the name Brenda Landon. Her marriage ended during the Second World War.

During the war, Brenda lived in Lewes. She helped at an art gallery run by Mrs. Byng-Stamper. Through this, she met the artist Duncan Grant. She even posed for his art class.

After the war, Brenda taught art at Fairdene School for Girls. She started a pottery workshop there. Later, she created and managed the pottery at Glynde Place. Most of her pottery pieces are from this time.

Becoming Brenda Pye

In 1961, Brenda married again. Her second husband was Cecil Pye. He was the stepfather of the famous writer Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Cecil's uncle founded the Pye company, which made radios and televisions.

Cecil built an art studio for Brenda at their home in Buxted, Sussex. As Brenda Pye, she began her most active period as an artist. She painted many portraits for people. These included the journalist Fyfe Robertson and the headmaster John McIntosh. Her portraits were shown in London and at the Paris Salon.

However, most of her work became landscape paintings. She loved painting Ashdown Forest and painted it many times. She also painted during her travels with her husband. They visited Scotland, France, Wales, Portugal, Italy, and South Africa.

Brenda's painting style changed over time. It became softer and more like an impressionist style. She mostly used oil paints on canvas. But she also painted on wood and used watercolors. After her second marriage, she used brighter colors. She painted very quickly and always painted from real life, never from photos.

Her landscapes and flower paintings were shown at the Paris Salon. They were also shown in London by the Royal Society of British Artists and the Association of Women Artists. Brenda also had her own art shows in Sussex.

Later Years

Brenda painted her last full portrait in 1987. It was of a young lawyer wearing a wig and gown. After this, she had problems with her eyesight due to cataracts. This, along with some physical weakness, made it hard for her to paint from life. However, she continued to create abstract designs using watercolors.

Brenda Landon Pye Portrait Prize

The Chelsea College of Art and Design gives out an award each year. It is called the Brenda Landon Pye Portrait Prize. This award is given to students who excel at painting portraits. Here are some of the winners:

• 2006 Tom Downes and Adelita Husni-Bey (joint winners)
• 2007 Keiji Ishida
• 2008 Margot Sanders
• 2009 Lindsey Bull and Connie Sides (joint winners)
• 2010 Tom Anholt and Arthur Owen (joint winners)
• 2011 Joe Walker
• 2012 No award
• 2103 Ellie Preston

In 2009, Chelsea College of Art and Design also held workshops. These were called Brenda Landon Pye Painting Technique Workshops.

Sources

• Royal Academy Exhibitors 1905-1970 (1973–82)
• Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940 (1976)
• The Society of Women Artists Exhibitors 1855-1996 (1996)
• Interview in Sussex Express 10 May 1968
• Brenda Landon Pye Portrait Prize website