Brenda Heim

Artist Statement
My work is based on traditional calligraphy letter forms that I began studying in 1979—ten years on an introduction to Zen brush painting opened the door (rather pushed me off a cliff) to explore oversized, gestural mark making and fragments of letter forms. Large brushes were replaced by creating my own mop tools to enable the physicality of full body movement as an extension of the brush.

Throughout 35 years of studio work, I've developed a wet-on-wet, ink and acrylic application technique—a rich mat finish akin to textile and ink painting antiquities, devoid of contemporary gloss finishes. Often I paint with my non-dominant hand to capture nuances of imperfect circles, bent lines, and delightful misshaped forms—thus working between no-mind and analysis, aided by preparation, instinct, and vigor.

As with traditional calligraphy studies, my studio practice also receives my reverence for discipline and exploration. I am a practicing artist. I create expressions of freedom. 2025 is my 36th year of painting, 20th of sculpture work—exciting, most days, grateful, every day. —BH

Brenda Heim is an American artist and patent recipient based in Central Florida. With over 35 years of artistic practice, Brenda’s innovative approach to contemporary art making has transformed her formal calligraphy training into two and three-dimensional works—by enlarging and deconstructing letterforms—a continuous evolution of navigating the delicate balance between analysis and intuition, intimacy and autonomy, discipline and the spontaneity of her inner-child.

Working across both fine art and corporate art arenas, she consistently challenges herself to transcend the traditional boundaries of mark-making, to create works that honor foundational elements of calligraphy while exploring new artistic territories, and continuing to hone her distinctive voice that bridges ancient calligraphic traditions with contemporary artistic expression.

Exhibitions Include

Naples Museum of Art, FL; Tensho Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.; Red Dot Art Fair/Art Basel Miami; MAC Fine Art, FL; Coburn Gallery Ashland University, OH

Collections Include

Robecca Quammen Art Collection; City of Eustis Public Art Collection, FL; Fiserv CBS Worldwide Headquarters, Coopers & Lybrand, Adrenaline Films, in Orlando, FL; Lake Eustis Museum of Art Permanent Collection, FL and Shiloah South, Center for Psychology, FL