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Brendan is a native of Chicago but
has lived in southwest Florida for over 20 years, currently residing
in Nokomis. The artist started painting relatively late in life,
but always had an interest in art. So, at a time when many of
us re-examined our lives (after September, 2001) he picked up
the paints his Dad gave him and created his first watercolor
of a beach scene. Soon after, he was receiving requests for
custom work. He is primarily self-taught, but has studied with
highly-regarded wildlife artists including Mort Solberg, John
Pitcher, John Banovich, John Seerey-Lester, Julie Jepsen and
Andrew Denman..
Then in 2006 Brendan became interested
in mid-century illustration. Gil Elvgren, Albert Vargas, Haddon
Sundblom and Norman Rockwell were just a few of the artists he
studied. He sketched hundreds of pretty, mid-century styled
girls, but when he asked his wife Nicole to model for him she
thought he was crazy because he was taking time away from his
marine-life work. Fortunately, she gave in and he painted his
first pinup girl, starting his journey toward 'retro style.’
In addition to the artist’s
beautiful marine-life images of tarpon, redfish and billfish,
you may have seen Brendan's retro-style work on Chamber of Commerce
publications and historic tournament and community events (most
notably in Boca Grande and Sarasota). Brendan is one of a handful
of contemporary artists who paint in the style of the great pinup
masters -- his paintings are a throwback to the 40's and 50's
when pretty, all-American girls graced the likes of calendars
and advertisements. His images are painted in oil, even down
to the hand-lettering, which has become a lost art in itself.
His wife continues to be his primary model, and the husband/wife
team collaborate on each painting. Brendan’s art will surely
take you back to simpler days. . .
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