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Artist in Residence: Brian Bierig

Click on any image to go to the gallery.

Over the years, for many artists, the search for the perfect light and subjects has led to the south of France. But painter Brian Bierig, has found his Coast of Gold here on Cape Cod where venues such as Bass Hole and the front gates of classic Cape Cod cottages have inspired his popular and evocative imagery.

Above it All

“It’s the light,” Brian says simply of why he was drawn to the Cape and about the quality that distinguishes his painting. And if the popularity of his work is any indicator, others agree that he captures the essence of Cape Code like few others.

Originally drawn to art as a child, Brian has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. His natural talents were assisted by his education at the Rhode Island School of Design. At RISD, he was exposed to the arts of others who still inspire him today. Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth and John Singer Sergeant are all influences. But ultimately, his style is fully his own.

QA Question of Balance

Unlike many other artists, Brian distains working from photographs, instead preferring to take easel or pad to the actual locations that he paints. In Brian’s view, this traditional style accounts for the sense of depth to his work that is hard to recreate when working from photographs or even from memory. “I like to get out at the traditional preferred hours for painters, early morning or late afternoon. If the weather’s bad, I’ll work inside my Jeep. But I just have to get out and paint. I need to see and feel the light.” Once he has captured the essence of the image, Brian can take the work home and complete it in his studio at night.

Brian explains his need to paint with a simple metaphor. “For me it’s like eating,” he says. “I wake up every day hungry to paint. Then, when I’m finished, it’s like I’ve had a wonderful meal. I feel sated. But the next day, I wake up hungry again and I have to pick up my brushes and go.”

While Brian has taken the occasional commission assignment, his primary inspiration is simply the world around him. Working in watercolor or oils, he finds that it’s the creation of the work that gives him the pleasure. After having such a personal experience with each creation, does he regret selling his work? “No,” he admits. “For me it’s the creation process that’s exciting. The fact that others happen to buy and enjoy my work is just a bonus to that process.”

Brian and his wife Gail live with their son in Yarmouth Port. He can be reached at gail@syndicatedadfeatures.com.

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