Brian Mcclear

Brian McClear is a contemporary representational painter known for still lifes that bring familiar objects together in unexpected ways and portraits that look beyond simply capturing a likeness. His paintings often begin with something that catches his attention—an object, a texture, an unlikely pairing, or sometimes a visual pun that makes him smile. Some are playful or nostalgic; others use visual metaphor to address social, political or environmental concerns. Working primarily in oil, McClear’s approach is representational but decidedly painterly, with direct, intuitive brushwork that allows the hand of the artist to remain visible. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design, he began his career as an illustrator before spending more than two decades in advertising and eventually returning to painting full-time. He now maintains his studio practice in Connecticut.

Solo Exhibitions — (Selected)

2026 —"Still Matters" / Alofft Gallery - Litchfield, CT,
2026 — "Still Matters" / Barnes-Franklin Gallery, CT State Tunxis - Farmington, CT
2025— "Discards & Discovery" / Duncaster Gallery - Bloomfield, CT,
2023—Solo Exhibition "Double Takes" / Alofft Gallery - Litchfield, CT, United States
2023—"Ink & Oil" / Barnes-Franklin Gallery, CT State Tunxis - Farmington, CT,
2022—"Juxtapositions, Portraits & Puns" / 5 Points Annex Gallery - Torrington, CT
2021—Selected Works" / Saltbox Gallery - West Hartford, CT, United States
2019—"Beyond Surface" / Artwalk - Hartford, Ct, United States

Group Exhibitions (Selected)

2026
• Invitational Exhibition "Focus on the Past" / Attleboro Art Museum - Attleboro, MA
• NOAPS BOA Small Works — Nat Juried / Anderson Fine Art Gallery - St. Simons, GA
• 93rd Hudson Valley Art Association — Nat Juried / Lyme Art Association - Old Lyme, CT
• By the People, For the People — Nat Juried / Hill-Stead Museum - Farmington, CT
• Nor'Easter — Nat Juried Exhibition / New Britain Museum of American Art - New Britain, CT

2025
• Two Person Exhibition "Double Visions" / Essex Art Association Gallery - Essex, CT
• 79th Annual Juried Exhibition / Slater Memorial Museum - N...