Artwork at Fernbank Puts Nature On Display

The contemporary wildlife art of Pen Brady will be on display at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in the special exhibition Form Revisited from March 2-August 18, 2013. This collection of 25 original acrylic and India ink paintings reveals eye-catching portrayals of birds, insects, fish, mammals and flowers.

Both intricate and fluid, her work offers movement to the subjects of her designs. Brady’s extremely fine lines and ability to master solid colors with no signs of brush strokes often mislead viewers into thinking her work is of a digital or serigraphic process. It is, however, completely done with brush and technical pens. This sharp detail is signature element to her work and offers a sense of harmony in nature.

“The use of line and solid shapes reveals aboriginal art roots that helped develop my technique,” Brady said. “Within each painting, I try to capture the grace and beauty inherent in all living creatures and offer that to the observer for a visual experience and a celebration of life.”

 

Inspired by the native art of the Pacific Northwest, which is more commonly known for carved works such as the totem pole, Brady translates her experiences with nature into paintings. She uses traditional colors like black, white, and yellow, while pulling in other shades from the natural world, including sky blues and earthy greens.

As her style developed in the mid-1990s, Brady experimented with the structure and imagery of Native American art. Within a few years, her acrylic and ink paintings had transformed from the traditional iconic style into her own, personal perspective of the natural world.

 

After studying art at Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, Missouri, Brady worked as an artist, graphic designer, and a botanical and zoological model builder for major museums and science centers throughout the world. She now devotes her time entirely to her painting.

Form Revisited is on view from March 2 through August 18, 2013 at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The exhibition is included with museum admission, which is $17.50 for adults, $16.50 for students/seniors, $15.50 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for members and children ages 2 and younger.

Fernbank Museum is located at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Tickets and visitor information are available at 404.929.6300 or www.fernbankmuseum.org.