Meet Brian Neher of Brian Neher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Neher.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been fascinated with art and was encouraged to pursue that passion from a very early age by my grandmother, who was also a commercial artist. Although I enjoyed drawing all throughout my childhood and into high school, I didn’t have any formal art lessons until I attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida. There, I majored in commercial art during a time when illustrators were starting to move towards producing more artwork in digital mediums, rather than a traditional brush to canvas.

In 1993, while still a student in college, I met world-renowned illustrator and portrait painter, Joe Bowler, from Hilton Head Island, SC, who encouraged me to pursue a career as a professional portrait painter. For the next 23 years, I had the honor and privilege of studying under Bowler and wanted to share the firsthand knowledge and experience that he had passed down to me with other aspiring artists around the world. As a result, I began posting the work of my favorite “Painters of the Past” on social media outlets to help educate and inspire others.

In addition, I also produced a series of instructional art courses, focusing on the foundational principles that are needed in representational art. I’ve also partnered with Craftsy, an online leader in educational courses, to produce an online instructional art course titled “Paint Better Portraits: Realistic Skin Tones” in order to help artists reach their own personal goals in portraiture. I paint portraits full time, accepting both private and corporate commissions.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Choosing to pursue a career as an artist is not always the easiest path to follow. Artists are often encouraged to choose a more stable career which will provide steady and predictable income. Only a small percentage of artists actually make a living from what they do. This is one of the reasons the term “starving artist” is often mentioned to those who are thinking about being a professional artist.

I had many people tell me that I would never make a living as an artist, but all it took was one person (Joe Bowler) to tell me that I could do it, changing my life forever. I’ve found over the years that the majority of people who tell you that you can’t accomplish something are those who never succeeded in reaching the goals that they were once passionate about. Because of this, I think it’s important to surround yourself with successful people so that they can be an encouragement to you during difficult circumstances in your life and career.

Has it been an easy road? No, but nothing in life worth accomplishing is ever easy. My wife, Jacquie, has been a constant source of encouragement to me over the years and has always encouraged me to never give up. Although being an artist may be difficult at times, the rewards far outweigh the struggles that it took to get there.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Brian Neher – what should we know?
I’m a professional portrait painter, specializing in creating exquisite, one of a kind, oil paintings for families and corporations. One of the aspects that sets my work apart from others is that I’m not only striving to achieve a likeness of the person that I’m painting, but to also bring out the unique personality and character of that individual onto canvas. Having the opportunity to meet the people that I paint plays an important role in achieving this. That first impression that I get when meeting someone is what I’m trying to convey in the final painting. I’m ultimately trying to paint a picture that pleases three audiences: me as an artist, the client, and anyone who views the picture (the general public).

One unique difference in my portrait paintings is the use of light, particularly when it comes to painting the effects of outdoor light. By studying the methods and techniques of some of the great portrait painters of the past (John Singer Sargent, Joaquin Sorolla and Anders Zorn), as well as the Impressionists (Claude Monet, Childe Hassam, Richard Miller and Frederick Frieseke), I strive to incorporate warm and cool temperature changes in order to create the illusion of outdoor light, similar to how we see things in nature.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My grandmother, Ann Carl, was my first inspiration as an artist. She was a commercial artist who encourage me to pursue my passion.

Brian Jekel, one of my art instructors in college. He encouraged me to study and compare my work to the old masters, rather than simply gauging my progress by comparing my work to other students in the class.

Joe and Marilyn Bowler, my friends and mentors for 23 years. They encouraged me to go beyond what I thought was possible and to always strive for excellence in my work. If it wasn’t for them, I would not have pursued a career in art.

My wife Jacquie. She has always been my constant cheerleader over the years and has always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. Without her, I would not be where I am today.

All of the people who have encouraged me over the years. Although my signature is on every portrait that I paint, I feel as though the entire canvas should be covered with the signatures of those who have inspired and encouraged me over the years.

Pricing:

• Current portrait prices start at $9,500

Contact Info:

• Address: 8524 Castlekeep Rd.
  Charlotte, NC, 28226
• Website: www.BrianNeher.com
• Phone: 704-543-8815
• Email: brian@brianneher.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brian_neher
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brian-Neher/117668281597318?ref=hl
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianNeher
• Yelp: https://www.pinterest.com/bportrait/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/BrianNeherFineArt

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