Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Neher.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been interested in art from a very early age. My grandmother was a commercial artist who encouraged me to draw and paint. Her example would later inspire me to pursue a career as a professional artist.
I enrolled in the commercial art program at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL in 1990. While there, I had an art instructor, Brian Jekel, who was working on a thesis for his masters degree and had recently interviewed renowned illustrator and portrait painter, Joe Bowler, at his home and studio on Hilton Head Island, SC as part of the project. After his visit, Jekel shared his experience in one of my art classes. After speaking, he gave the class the option to either watch a video featuring an interview with Joe Bowler, or work on our current class projects. I’ve always been interested in learning about other artists, so I chose to watch the video. As I began to listen to Bowler describe his transition from being an illustrator in New York City to a commissioned portrait painter in South Carolina, the video panned to Joe painting in his studio. Within minutes, the portrait of a little girl began to emerge on a blank canvas. While I had read of past painters working this way, I had never actually seen it demonstrated. Intrigued by what Bowler had to say and his confidence to paint directly on canvas without any preliminary drawing, I ended up watching the entire video.
At one point during the interview, Joe referenced how fortunate he was to have other artists who educated and inspired him throughout his career. It was at this point where he said, “If there’s any young artist out there who needs my help and can find a way to get to me, I will help them.” After hearing that, I took him up on his offer after class that day. What started out as a phone call, ended up being a twenty three year friendship that changed my life forever. If it wasn’t for Joe Bowler taking the time to educate and inspire me throughout the years, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path of an artist is not always an easy one, especially if you have to earn a living from the art that you produce. At the beginning of my career, I spent much of my time in front of an easel in order to continue learning how to paint, but also needed an opportunity to earn a paycheck at the same time. Commissioned portrait paintings provided the perfect balance between these two. I could continue painting and learning about art while working on portraits, but then get paid when the painting was finished. The challenge of producing a work of art that satisfied me, as an artist, pleased the client who was commissioning the portrait, and also resulted in a work of art that would interest anyone who viewed it, has always been the motivation for me throughout my career.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional portrait artist who paints in oil on canvas. A good portion of my work has focused on children’s portraiture and producing a timeless work of art that will last for generations to come. One of the qualities that sets my work apart from others pertains to the subject of outdoor light. While many commissioned portrait subjects are painted in an interior setting, I have found that many clients prefer an outdoor setting, especially when painting children. Because of the close values and high keyed colors that occur outdoors, painting a portrait in an outdoor setting is much more difficult than an indoor setting. When successful, an outdoor portrait can be both challenging and rewarding for the artist who paints it.
What’s next?
I plan on continuing to paint commissioned portraits, but am also working on some educational materials to help other artists who are wanting to learn how to paint. Specifically, I am working on writing a book about the subject of color and how it pertains to the art of oil painting.
Pricing:
- Prices start at $7,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brianneher.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_neher/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeherPortraitPaintings/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrianNeherFineArt
