Hello, I'm Brian W.
F. Brian Whitman lives in the grandeur of the Colorado Rockies in the United States. His artistic intent is to share the beauty that surrounds him thru primarily through oil painting. Brian has a well-regarded reputation as a communicator and story teller. As a young man, he was an award winning musician, actor, presenter, poet, and visual communicator. Brian graduated from the University of Indianapolis with studies in art, music, literature, German and broadcast communications. As a budding professional, he had internships with WISH-TV as a graphic designer for the broadcast news, and with Indiana Bell Corporate Television as an electronic designer, writer, producer, and videographer. Following those internships Brian worked for two media production agencies with duties as a videographer, video editor, visual effects designer, and animator. At one agency, Brian got to design and oversee the conception, production and installation of an exhibit at Disney World’s EPCOT which remained there for many years. He was fortunate to have found a career that also allowed him a creative outlet. But much like a mountain stream, life is full of twists and bends…and Brian’s life took an interesting turn when his father developed heart disease. He found himself acting as a key liaison communicating between his family and physicians. “I recognized that my family and the clinicians often weren’t speaking that same language, and so therefore the communication wasn’t effective. I took on the role of trying to help my family understand concepts that the physicians would share by drawing pictures of procedures and serving as an intermediary.” Experiencing firsthand the true need for effective communications in healthcare and realizing his own potential and strength as a communicator, Brian accepted a job at a large healthcare system to serve as a Public Relations Director. Later carreer development included being a Vice President for a regional health system. For most of his professional life Brian has been a healthcare administrator and consultant. Growing up in Indiana, Brian did not experience mountains until his early 30s. Now as he rounds the next bend in life’s river and explores an evolved chapter is his life, Brian’s passion is to communicate the beauty of landscapes to friends, family and to a broader audience. “I never get tired of looking at nature and the horizon. For me, the subtle changes in atmosphere and lighting make every landscape art. I want to be able to share with others the beauty I see in my home in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado or the places I have the opportunity to visit.” “I consider my talent and development as an artist and communicator as a journey. There’s not a destination I want to reach. I just want to play and discover and challenge myself to do new things.” Brian is recent to oil painting. “I studied drawing, photography and acrylics in college. I have continued with photography throughout my life. I took up oil painting after the encouragement of my husband. I love every moment of painting now – it is a true passion. I feel compelled to paint – to share and celebrate what I see and experience.” "I am recent to painting conceptual and vintage motel signs. They are nostalgic to me. In my youth I recall traveling with my family in our car to various vacation sites and always staying at these local economy motels. Viewers seem to also relate in similar nature. I research sign shapes, architecture and features and develop personalities for them that are perfectly imperfect. Outdated references to features and functions that once were attractive services like "direct dial phones" that have become expectations are again featured here as a way to develop personalities and anchor these signs in our past. I hope the viewer enjoys them as much as I do creating them. " Brian is supported in his artistic endeavor by his husband Sean, their three adult children, and their three furry, four-pawed, hiking, and lake-loving children. He loves to ski, hike, and snowshoe. Brian continues his studies with renowned artist Karen Vance, whom he considers a mentor and friend. He recently completed an artist residency in France. He has won awards for plein air painting. He has participated in national and international gallery shows, and has had solo museum shows as well.