Brenda Beerhorst The Painter
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 7:04AM 
This is a new painting by Brenda Beerhorst, see more work here.
Brenda was in a painting class at Aquinas College when we began dating in the Spring of 1985. As long as I have known her desire to paint has been full of inner conflict that seemed impossible to resolve. For many years rug hooking has been her creative outlet that remained accessible to her perhaps because of its humble craft rung it occupied on the ladder that keeps the "fine arts" up towards the top in most of our minds.
About three months ago Brenda began painting again. She created a morning ritual for herself that has her up in her upstairs studio from 10AM 'till noon painting. She has a pile of prepared 9"x11" wood panels just waiting for her to bring them to life with color, shape and pattern. It has been very inspiring to see this part of her life open up with a freedom I have never seen in her before.
Even though our culture has seen the women's suffrage movement of the late 1800s and the feminist movement through the late sixties and 70s in many ways we still live in a world made by men for men. Sometimes it just seems extra difficult for women to find their personal creative path between all the laundry, child raising, and propping up of their men they seem compelled to do on a daily basis. I want to see Brenda continue to flourish in what ever pursuits that God has tucked into her heart from before her first steps were taken. Perhaps I unconsciously have begun this campaign because I know that I can't truely become my potential unless she does as well.
Brenda Beerhorst, men and women, painting 
Reader Comments (2)
I want it to be known, by whoever reads this post, that Rick has done way more than 50/50 in all household tasks, cleaning, cooking, laundry, parenting, diaper changing when that was part of the daily routine.... Lord have mercy, I have been blessed!
Thank you for clarifying that Brenda. I was wondering that when I read this. You have surely been blessed.