Brenda L. Ochodnicky  is an award-winning Michigan artist and retired entrepreneur.  She offers her artistic & graphic arts talents by commission, through galleries, juried and fine art exhibitions and via her website OchodnickyDesign.com

Brenda’s art is inspired by simplicity, realism depicting her subject matter without idealization, and above all by embracing life as it is and not omitting the imperfections.  She is also inspired by the works of Andrew Wyeth, Edmund Lewandowski, Rembrandt, Emily Carr and O’Keeffe. She holds a deep respect for the Shakers who had a quest for simplicity and perfection as reflected in their love of function and fine design.  You will see the Shaker simplicity reflected in many of her of her works where realism prevails.

Brenda’s works include her ongoing effort to preserve the architecture and rich mining history of Michigan and the Keweenaw Peninsula through art.  Her favorite mediums are pastel and acrylic/collage and she enjoys designing jewelry using natural and reclaimed copper, silver and indigenous stones.  She also enjoys sharing her love of pastel via workshops.

Pastel is Brenda’s favorite medium and realism is her passion.  She occasionally steps away from realism and dives into abstract finding it a humbling study in design and composition. Rhythm, pattern, shapes, color theory and process are the same in both realism and abstract, but Brenda finds that abstract offers an additional challenge and requires greater patience as a work of art evolves.  She enjoys a limited color pallet in both realism and abstract; however, she approaches her color pallet selection differently when it comes to abstracts.  Brenda’s goal is engaging the viewer to become absorbed and elicit dialog, and don’t be surprised by an element of surprise in her work from time to time.

Brenda has been a student of pastel under Vianna Szabo, PP. S.A. IAPS MC P.S.W.C.D., Jim Markle, P.S.A., Alain J. Picard, PSA, IAPS, AAPL, Norma Gray, BFA/Master Watercolorist, and Peggy Smith, BFA/Pastelist.   She is a member of the Great Lakes Pastel Society, Copper Country Community Arts Center, Copper Country Associated Artists and the Upper Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance.

Prior to moving to the Keweenaw in 2021 Brenda was very active in the down-state art community.  She is a past Commissioner and Chair of the City of Brighton’s Art and Cultural Commission and past President of the Brighton Art Guild. She is also active in the Houghton Rotary Club. Brenda has always been a voice for Community Art initiatives and Public Art.

Brenda’s paintings are currently represented by Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery and Copper Country Community Arts Center/Artists Gallery; the Keweenaw Agate Shop/Gallery of Copper Harbor represents her jewelry designs.

She lives in Hancock Michigan with her partner Stephen and they love to dance, travel and spend time on the water. Her mantra  = “Life is Good!”