Brian O'Neill
'Aura'
COLLECTOR PREVIEW
Abend Gallery proudly introduces 'Aura,' a solo exhibition by Brian O'Neill, where the natural world meets abstract wonder. Join us from April 26 to May 14 to experience an art collection that asks you to explore your own depths through the interplay of light and texture, inviting you to reflect on nature's ephemeral beauty.
đź“… Exhibition Dates: April 26 - May 14
🎉 Opening Reception: April 26th, 5 - 8 PM (Artist in Attendance)
đź“Ť Location: 1261 Delaware St, Suite 2, Denver, CO 80204
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Artist Statement
Aura: (show title)
the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to be generated by a person, place, or thing.
Inspiration for my abstract work in derived from the natural world. My compositions are influenced by elements one would find in a traditional landscape artwork, such as horizon, sweeping vistas, layered textures and so on. However, this collection, Aura, is about capturing ephemeral qualities of light, breath, and our own internal response to nature's majestic beauty.
Several pieces in the collection clearly tell you this is a landscape painting with the inclusion of pines tree silhouettes, while the remainder ask you to take a deep dive into your imagination and discover where you are, how do you in feel in relation to that space, and what is awakened in you? There are no wrong answers. I used a large pallet knife, gliding paint in transparent passes, scraping and revealing underpainting, as if exposing memories, layers of time, rock, mineral, or parts of the cosmos. All of this is juxtaposed by soft sweeping gradations of glowing metallics and carefully blended colors to offer a place of rest. The final layer that initial greets the viewer is resin. The sleek and modern finish of the resin creates an interesting tension and harmony with the emotion carried in these works. The color pallet is pulled from the night sky, the depths of the oceans, a blazing setting sun, and the serenity and stillness that glows at twilight. - Brian O'Neill
Learn More about Brian O'Neill
Brian O’Neill, born in 1969, is an accomplished artist whose works are exhibited in galleries and museums across the U.S., Canada, Japan, and England. A graduate of The Ani Art Academy, O'Neill honed his artistic skills under the tutelage of renowned realist painter Anthony Waichulis. His art seamlessly spans oil realism with still life and figurative themes, as well as expressive abstract painting. Particularly noted for his dynamic and emotive Contemporary Landscape series, O'Neill explores the essence of the natural world through elements such as horizon, air, fire, water, and the innovative use of luminous metal gold and silver leaf.
His unique ability to merge classical realism with bold, modern abstracts has captivated a wide audience and drawn admiration from collectors and critics alike. His work has been featured in museum shows, including a prestigious Juror's Choice Award at the Naples Museum of Art and participation in the traveling museum exhibition of Blossom, The American Still Life.
O'Neill's talent has earned him numerous international awards and features in leading art publications, such as The Artist's Magazine and The Pastel Journal. As a passionate educator, he teaches both abstract and representational art workshops, guiding a new generation of artists from his studio located in the historic Hungerford Building in Rochester, NY. His commitment to art education and his impactful artistic practice make him a significant figure in contemporary art.
Brian O'Neill CV
Art Education
Ani Art Academy Waichulis, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Selected Exhibitions/Galleries
2019 Art New York at Pier 94 NYC, Hazelton Galleries
2018 FUSION Solo show, Rochester Picture Gallery, Rochester, NY
2018 Hazelton Art Galleries, Toronto, Canada
2017 Palm Beach Art Show- Rehs Contemporary Gallery
2016 Arnot Art Museum, Elmira NY-75thRegional Exhibition
2016 Rehs Contemporary Gallery, NYC-Synesthesia Group Exhibition
2016 Nan Miller Gallery, Rochester, NY Realism-A Moment In Time
2015 Nan Miller Gallery, Rochester, NY solo exhibition MUSE 2.0
2014 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA-Drawings Group Exhibition
2014 Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY-74thAnnual Regional Exhibition
2014 Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH-Figurative International 2014-Group Exhibition
2014 The Shreveport Museum of Art-The American Still Life-Group Exhibition
2014 MUSE-Arts Council Gallery, Rochester, NY-solo exhibition
2013 Nantucket Art Show-Rehs Contemporary Galleries
2013 Rehs Gallery, NYC-The Big Gamble
2013 The Armory Show, NYC-Rehs Galleires
2013 The Naples Fine Art & Antique Show, Naples, FL-Rehs Gallery
2013 The L.A. Art Show-Rehs Gallery
2012 Rehs Gallery, NYC, NY
2012 Elliot Fouts Gallery, Sacramento CA-“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles”
2012 Art Center Manatee, Bradenten FL, Blossom 2: Art of Flowers
2011 Capturing Realism-Ani Art Academy Pauly Friedman Gallery Dallas, PA
2011 Naples Museum of Art, Naples FL, Premier Exhibition Blossom 2: Art of Flowers
2011 Arizona-Sedona Desert Museum Tucson, AZ, Blossom 2: Art of Flowers
2011 R.W. Norton Museum, Shreveport, LA Blossom 2: Art of Flowers
2011 Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago IL, Blossom 2: Art of Flowers
2011 Cavalier Gallery Nantucket, MA
2010 NYC International Art Expo-Nan Miller Gallery
2009 The Waichulis Studio Capturing Realism Pauly Freidman Gallery
2009 Ocean Gallery Stone Harbor NJ
2009 Lavanta Gallery, London, England
2008 Gallery Veronique Cincinnati, OH
2008 NYC International Art Expo-Nan Miller Gallery
2008 Las Vegas International Art Expo-Nan Miller Gallery
2008 Virago Gallery Tokyo, Japan
2008 Nan Miller Gallery, Rochester, NY-In Bloom-solo show
2007 Artevo Gallery British Columbia, Canada
2007 Gallery One Naples, FL
2007 Gallery Mistinquette Great Neck, NY
2007 Village Gallery Houston, TX
2007 NYC International Art Expo-Nan Miller Gallery
2007 Las Vegas International Art Expo
2006 Blue Fine Art San Jose, CA
2006 NYC International Art Expo-Nan Miller Gallery
2006 SCW Fine Art Durango, CO
2005 Discovery Galleries Bethesda, MD
2005 Nan Miller Gallery, Rochester, NY
2004 West Village Gallery, NYC, NY
2003 The Robley Gallery, Roslyn, NY
Lectures/Instruction
2016 Steve Carpenter Studio, Rochester, NY artist talk and presentation
2013 The Creative Workshop, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY
2011 Naples Museum of Art Blossom 2: Art of Flowers Lecture Series
2011 Allendale Columbia High School, Rochester NY “Career day”
2010 NY State Figure Study Guild “Hyper-Realism” Rochester, NY
Awards
Artist Magazine On-Line 2009 All Media Competition Honorable Mention Floral
ARC Art Renewal Center 2009 International Salon Competition Top 100 Finalist
NYFA New York Foundation For The Arts Grant Recipient
Artists Magazine 27th Annual Art Competition Finalist Still Life/Floral
Pastel Journal 2010 Top 100 Competition Second Place Still Life/Floral
Pastel Journal 2010 Top 100 Honorable Mention
Blossom 2: Art of Flowers Jurors Choice Award Winner Naples, Museum of Art
Blossom 2: Art of Flowers Honorable Mention
Artist Magazine On-Line All Media Competition 2010 Honorable Mention
ARC Art Renewal Center International Salon Competition 2010 Finalist
Art Kudos International Art Competition 2011 Finalist
The ACOPAL-American Chinese Oil Painters Artist League Top 50 Finalist-Open Competition 2011
The Pastel Journal Top 100 Competition 2011 Honorable Mention
Art Kudos International Competition Finalist 2012
Press/Publications/Media
Along Magazine-Two page feature, Winter 2016/2017
American Art Collector Magazine April 2016 Rehs Gallery-Synesthesia
Its About The Money-TV interview Rochester, NY 2015
Conversations With Creatives-TV Interview Rochester, NY 2015
WHAM 13 Rochester, NY Interview and segment coverage for MUSE 2.0 April 2015
Pastel Journal Magazine Top 100 feature: Second Place, page 63 April 2011
Pastel Journal Magazine Top 100 Honorable Mention page 80 April 2011
Art Business News February 2007
Art World News February 2007 Feature Article
Fine Art Magazine Spring 2007 Cover and Feature Article
Art World News May 2007 Cover and “Artist’s to Watch” Feature
Art Business News September 2008
Art Business News November 2008 Feature Article
Artist Magazine December 2010 Finalist Award 27th Annual Art Competition
Blossom 2: Art of Flowers Museum Catalog
News Channel 10 NBC Rochester, NY Interview Contemporary Realism Show
News 10 Philadelphia, PA Artist in the Garden Stone Harbor, NJ
News 40 Stone Harbor NJ Interview
News 10 NBC Rochester, NY Interview Highland Hospital Commission Painting
Ani Art Academy Waichulis Promotional DVD
Ani Art Academy Language of Drawing Instructional DVD Vol. 1
Metropolitan Magazine-Winter 2012 issue, Cover & Feature Story
Democrat & Chronicle Newspaper Rochester, NY 'Garden-Artist" series August 2012
American Art Collector, The Big Gamble, April 2013
Affiliations
The Rochester Art Club-Signature Member & Board of Directors Member
Artistic Journeys: Brian O'Neill in Conversation
Join us for a captivating session with Brian O'Neill on 'Conversations with Creatives', where host Carol White Ellen delves into the layers of O'Neill's artistic evolution. This dialogue offers insight into his transition from a self-taught artist to studying under a master of realism, highlighting the profound impact on his work. Brian reveals the synergy between his realistic and abstract creations, each informing and enhancing the other. His narrative is one of dedication to the craft, a celebration of intuition, and a testimony to the limitless potential of artistic exploration. This interview invites viewers to explore the inspirations and philosophies that shape the canvases of an artist committed to his vision.