Brenda Stumpf shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Brenda, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Meditate
Workout
Cold Plunge
Espresso
Breakfast
Sunlight
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brenda Stumpf, a contemporary artist whose work bridges two worlds: fine art and personal commissions. For over two decades, my practice has centered on sculpture and image transfer works that explore memory, history, and the hidden layers of experience. My fine art has been exhibited nationally and is grounded in a language of abstraction, materiality, and storytelling.
In addition, I have recently launched a branch of my studio dedicated to custom commissions. Here, I transform people’s own photographs and meaningful ephemera into timeless image transfer works—pieces that carry both the patina of history and the intimacy of personal memory. What makes this special is that every commission is a true collaboration between the client’s story and my artistic process, resulting in one-of-a-kind works that resonate on both a visual and emotional level.
Currently, I’m continuing to develop new fine art series while also expanding my commission work. I’m excited to connect with more people who want their stories translated into lasting art.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a child, I would spend hours poring over stacks of old National Geographic magazines. Those pages opened up entire worlds—ancient cities rising out of ruins, sunken treasure being recovered from the sea, tribal rituals from cultures far removed from my own, maps of places I’d never been, and mysterious objects whose stories begged to be uncovered.
That experience left a deep imprint on me. It gave me a sense of awe for history, mystery, and the layers of meaning embedded in objects and places. Looking back, I can see how those early images shaped my perspective on the world: as a vast, interconnected web of stories waiting to be unearthed and retold. It’s that same curiosity and reverence for the unknown that continues to fuel both my fine art practice and my image transfer work today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. During the COVID pandemic, my life changed dramatically—I moved across the country, left a long-term relationship, and, with that, lost my studio, my home, my friends, and a deep sense of rootedness. It felt as though everything I had built, both personally and professionally, was suddenly untethered.
But art has always been the thread I hold onto. Even when I questioned how to keep going, creating became the way I rebuilt my life. Little by little, I found a new studio, new community, and new ways of working that have opened unexpected doors—including the commission branch of my practice. That difficult period taught me that resilience doesn’t always look bold—it often begins quietly, in simply showing up for your work and trusting it to carry you forward.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to following the work wherever it leads, no matter how long it takes. For me, art is about digging deeply—into history, memory, mystery, and the unknown. Some projects unfold quickly, others take years, but I trust the muse and remain devoted to the process of uncovering what needs to surface.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When have you had to bet the company?
When I moved from Pennsylvania to Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like betting everything on an unknown future. I left behind my studio, collectors who had followed my work for years, and the familiar networks I had built on the East Coast. Starting over in a new place—especially in such uncertain times—was a real gamble.
But taking that risk gave me a fresh perspective. It pushed me to reimagine how I connect with people, led to the expansion of my practice, and reminded me that growth often requires stepping into the unknown with trust and courage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brendastumpf.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brenda_stumpf/
Image Credits
Wes Magyar for all images.
