Pen Brady was born the youngest of five children in a small farm house in mid-Missouri. Her mom and dad shared a great love for the outdoors and their influence played a huge role in Pen’s love and respect for the flora and fauna of our earth. These values easily merged with the direction of her unique art.
Pen studied art at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. She married Pádraic Brady, and worked together in graphic design while raising their daughters. They moved to southern Missouri in 1996 and began working at Chase Studios, fabricating natural history exhibits for museums worldwide. Pen honed her attention to detail by creating botanical and vertebrate models. This work not only furthered her knowledge of the natural world but helped her develop patience and focus on small details. It was during this time, using linear and spacial components, that her distinctive style began to emerge.
The Artist
"In my art, I focus on the grace and beauty in all living things—highlighting a deep appreciation for nature's intricacies, using line, color, and imagination as tools to transcend beyond realism. By emphasizing strong design elements, I invite viewers to engage with the inherent elegance found in the natural world, challenging them to perceive its beauty through an expressive and abstract lens."
Pen"s studio near Stockton Lake in Cedar County, MO
"Throughout my life, I have embraced various roles: as a mom,
a wife, an old-school draftsman, a botanical and vertebrate model builder, and a lifelong lover of the natural world. I believe that all of our experiences shape who we are today. Each of these roles has influenced my journey in art."
"In my acrylic and India ink paintings, I strive to bring my
vision of the natural world to life. My goal with each piece is to convey theuniqueness and beauty of mysubjects, no matter how humble or grand they maybe. By capturing the grace, attitude, and nuances of each subject, I hope to inspire viewers to gain a new awareness and appreciation for the wonders of nature."
