About the Artist

By Lesley Anne Ellam

Sharing the light of everyday joys is what the paintings of Brenda Miller Beaudette are all about. Brenda has always been able to recognize the magical ability of light to create depth and form – on a landscape, in a painting, and in her life.

Growing up in rural, Eastern Ontario, Brenda was surrounded by agriculture and nature. Her family 'grew' a farm – building and renovating the property to a place that dreams were made of – a lot of hard work and chores, but also a place to find the beauty in nature. 

During her summers as a child, she would spend time at her paternal grandparents' farm in central Ontario. It was there that she remembers first recognizing the lighting effects of sunlight and clouds on a field. “I can remember being mesmerized by how clouds could define the contour of a field and change the way a pasture was lit. The clouds and I would play a game of chasing each other across the meadows – that must have been the beginning of my love of running too!”

The family cottage in Northern Ontario (a log cabin built by her maternal grandfather) was another magical spot for Brenda. A place of discovery both indoors and out. She recalls that “the walls were full of paintings.” She would study and explore the paintings. She was fascinated by how an artist could use light and texture to lure the viewer into the painting itself. How one brush stroke could create a highlight on a leaf or a shadow in the water; create depth that you could fall in to. While outdoors, Brenda would absorb the beauty of nature. Surrounded by majestic pine trees - gentle giants that would sway and whisper as the wind would ruffle their crowns - the cottage-life provided a living study of light. Sun dappled rocks; light playing on the water; shadows cast by clouds and trees; young Brenda was drawn to see how the light changed everything. 

It was during her last year of high school that Brenda had a revelation – a moment when she saw the light. Throughout her developing years, Brenda had always dreamed of being a high school Physical Education teacher. Although arts played a role in her high school story, it wasn't what defined her. All that changed when Brenda encountered Anne Woods, her senior-year art teacher. “During my final semester, I took an art course that exposed me to a variety of mediums and some interesting artistic challenges that changed the way I understood things. I was introduced to the elements and principles of design and was given a foundation in colour theory which was incredibly exciting and gave me the courage to experiment.” The light went on for Brenda! 

She felt the thrill of creating and realized that art and creativity was a fundamental part of who she was.  That realization took Brenda to Brock University to study Physical Education and Fine Arts, and then onto Queen's University for her teaching qualifications. One of her greatest joys was to teach students art so that they too would see that “light” – that feeling of realizing that creating art was a life-long part of their being.

Now retired from teaching, Brenda, her husband and their family continue to operate their century-old dairy farm in Eastern Ontario. When not helping with chores, you might find her running down country roads or rowing along the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Or, you may find her in Northern Ontario at that same family cottage where she renovates and relaxes. The Grainery Studio – an old drive-shed on the farm that she's converted into a creative space - is another of her favourite places. The sun shining through the windows and the old wood beams motivate her to create. 

In 2020, while the world was grappling with the global pandemic, Brenda decided it was time to punch-up her use of colour in her paintings. The time of quiet and isolation for so many became a time of no-holds-barred infusion of colour in her work. “I had always wanted to use more vibrant colour in my paintings, but had been afraid to ‘take the chance.’ I think the pandemic reminded me to seize the day! Life isn't black and white. It's full of colour reflecting our experiences and emotions.”

Brenda finds inspiration for painting in daily life – celebrating not only the beauty in what she sees, but also capturing the feeling of the scene - the light of each moment.