MADE ON ISLAND
Brian Kirkpatrick
Brightly Potraying the Simple Life of the Island
A trip to Venice, Italy in 2003 changed his life. “I loved the architecture, the colors, and most of all, everything was surrounded by water,” says Brian Kirkpatrick. The tremendous beauty motivated Brian to take up painting. Without wasting any time, he quickly purchased watercolor paper, watercolors, and brushes from a small art shop. “My family laughed and said ‘you can’t paint’,” Brian recalls, “and I said ‘How do you know?’” He hasn’t put his paintbrush down since.
Brian worked for his family’s painting company when he was a boy, so he has been exposed to mixing colors for a long time. He now produces colorful paintings, cigar boxes, and handbags, all in the folk art style. Folk art is the work of creative people, rooted in culture that depicts the characteristics of a community in a decorative way. A self-taught artist, Brian fits the folk-art mold perfectly, finding inspiration in his local environments. From Venice to the Vineyard, Brain deems the two places to be similar. “Martha’s Vineyard, just like Venice finds me up before dawn. Brush in hand and the brightest mix of colors on my palette.” Being a man of nature, his work displays an eclectic array of fish and wildlife. Collectively, his art illustrates a vivacious scene of Island life. “I love to paint fishing scenes of Menemsha, Chappy or sometimes a pile of piglets at the Farm Institute,” Brian says.
In addition to sharing his work, Brian also likes to shares his thoughts. He has spoken to audiences about his paintings and the creative process. Currently, Brian has his hands full working on a painting that will be a item for the Grand Raffle at the 66th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Derby; a painting for the Redbone Tournament in Montauk, New York; and work for the Striper Tournament. On the Island Brian’s art can be found at the Old Sculpin Gallery, The Edgartown Scrimshaw Gallery, and the Vineyard Artisans’ Festivals. He has exhibitions in Mystic, Connecticut and Naples, Florida as well.
For more work on Brian go to www.bkfolkart.com
Brian worked for his family’s painting company when he was a boy, so he has been exposed to mixing colors for a long time. He now produces colorful paintings, cigar boxes, and handbags, all in the folk art style. Folk art is the work of creative people, rooted in culture that depicts the characteristics of a community in a decorative way. A self-taught artist, Brian fits the folk-art mold perfectly, finding inspiration in his local environments. From Venice to the Vineyard, Brain deems the two places to be similar. “Martha’s Vineyard, just like Venice finds me up before dawn. Brush in hand and the brightest mix of colors on my palette.” Being a man of nature, his work displays an eclectic array of fish and wildlife. Collectively, his art illustrates a vivacious scene of Island life. “I love to paint fishing scenes of Menemsha, Chappy or sometimes a pile of piglets at the Farm Institute,” Brian says.
In addition to sharing his work, Brian also likes to shares his thoughts. He has spoken to audiences about his paintings and the creative process. Currently, Brian has his hands full working on a painting that will be a item for the Grand Raffle at the 66th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Derby; a painting for the Redbone Tournament in Montauk, New York; and work for the Striper Tournament. On the Island Brian’s art can be found at the Old Sculpin Gallery, The Edgartown Scrimshaw Gallery, and the Vineyard Artisans’ Festivals. He has exhibitions in Mystic, Connecticut and Naples, Florida as well.
For more work on Brian go to www.bkfolkart.com