Pen Brady was born in Higginsville, Missouri to parents who had a great love for the outdoors and took the family on frequent vacations and camping trips. Through these travels, she gained a deep respect for the land, animals, and fauna of the earth. Pen studied art at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, married Padraic Brady, and together they worked in graphic design while raising their two daughters. At Chase Studios they built natural history exhibits for museums around the world. Pen honed her attention to detail creating botanical and vertebrate models for dioramas. It was during this time that she took interest in native art of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Her own art began to reflect this influence--linear and spatial components along with the meanings of each. While these elements are still present, a distinctive style of her own began to emerge and continues to evolve.

Pen’s paintings are created with India Ink and acrylic paint. The goal of each image is to convey the uniqueness and beauty of her subject. To take the viewer into the animal’s life, if only for a moment, and have them come away with a little more understanding and respect--that same experience Pen has with each painting. Pen’s vision of the natural world comes to fruition in an assemblage of intricate lines, color, and form. Though she has no claim to native heritage, she maintains a deep respect for the First Nations, their beliefs, and their art. We are all part of the earth--humans, animals, and plants--connected to our very core.