Brian E. Bailey was born in 1959 in Lancaster, Massachusetts.
Formerly a professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York,
I now paint and teach privately at my atelier in New Jersey.
«Following a successful career that spanned several decades as a
noteworthy illustrator, I began to focus my energies on more personal
artistic pursuits.
As an artist working in a realist tradition I try to create singular contemporary images that speak
to the fragility of both the human condition and the natural world. The stillness of my painting offers the viewer a moment of both contemplation and
reflection.
In my figurative work, I have tried to speak quietly to the audience and seek contemplation of thought
provoking imagery. Whether it is in a veiled historical context or towards a more modern suppression
of the human spirit, I strive to capture a gestural moment in time. The stillness of my paintings
is to reflect the often-overlooked demands imposed upon both mind and body by external societal influences.
Equally versatile in acrylic and oil, it is the tactile nature of pastel that has drawn me back
to this medium. As my hands are my only tools, the pushing and blending of these sticks of pure
pigment allows for an intimate relationship with pastel. This unique level of sensitivity gives no
closer connection between artist and medium.»
I have won numerous awards for my work in pastel and have been featured in select
exhibitions both nationally and abroad.
Most recently my work was exhibited the past three years at the International Pastel Biennial in Suzhou,
China. This past year the 3rd year of the exhibition (2018) my work «Contemplation»,
won the First Award (Grand Prize).
My work has been shown at several selected group exhibitions at the Butler Museum of American
Art in Youngstown, Ohio, the Salmagundi Club and the National Arts Club in NYC.
My work has garnered the top awards at the Pastel Society of America Annual Exhibition in NYC as well
as The International Association of Pastel Societies.
I have attained Master Pastelist status at the PSA and Master Circle status at the IAPS. My work is
in several public and private collections, most notably the National Portrait Gallery in Washington
D.C. where I have two painted portraits in their permanent collection.
My work and methods have been featured in various publications such as Pure Color 2,
Pastel Journal, Pratique Des Arts, Pastelagram as well as various exhibition catalogues.