Artist,
Brenda Péo
By Stacey Gregory
If you arrived or departed from Tucson International Airport recently, you might have seen some colorful and fantastical paintings by Brenda Péo. She invites you into her world through each captivating, imaginative animal creation. A self-taught artist with an innate curiosity and playful approach, Brenda transforms her love for animals into expressive, character-rich artwork.
She came to the Tucson area in the 1960s after growing up in Illinois. Her creative roots took hold early, thanks to her parents’ hobby shop in northwest Chicago. Her artistic endeavors began with designing and selling Southwestern-style jewelry. Despite its success, she longed for something more profound—a way to nourish her creative soul. That turning point came in 2008 when Brenda picked up a paintbrush and never looked back.
“I finally got over being afraid of ‘what if it’s not good. I take workshops to broaden my artistic whims and find new techniques, and I’m always open to trying new things,’” she said. “I give my imagination full control and embraced the excitement of problem-solving through painting.”
THE HEART OF
Brenda discovered joy in intuitive painting by experimenting with oils, acrylics, inks, crayons, and collages, letting her ideas unfold naturally without a predetermined plan. Her work revolves around animals, particularly donkeys, whose gentle eyes and quirky personalities inspire her. She knows a painting is complete when their eyes are looking right back at her.
“Donkeys are amazing creatures: calm, captivating, and really smart. I love painting them because I am attracted to their long fuzzy ears, their unconditional love, and their quirkiness,” she says. “I photograph them from unique angles, getting down on the ground to capture their mannerisms and inquisitive gaze.”
Whether it’s donkeys, goats, chickens, ostriches, and more, Brenda’s pieces showcase her ability to blend realism with impressionism and a healthy dash of humor. For her, the magic lies in the journey—layers of paint and playful experimentation result in art brimming with personality and life.
You can explore more of Brenda’s work on her website at brendapeoart.com or shop for her wall art, home decor, stationary and more at brenda-peo.pixels.com. You’ll also find her work at galleries and shops around Southern Arizona.
520-686-1000
// brendapeoart.com