Duane Brown
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Artist Duane Brown captures everyday life with a focus on intimate, often overlooked moments, especially of people in motion. Originally from Northern California and now based in New Mexico, Duane began as a photo-realist but found new energy in expressive painting after years of working as a caricature artist. "I found the freedom of improvisation in my brushstrokes to be a more rewarding way to express my vision," shares Duane. His scenes often unfold instinctively, drawing references from live models, 3D software, personal photos, and even paused frames from old movies. Duane paints from a home studio, where he can easily respond to bursts of inspiration day or night. Outside of painting, he reads newspapers and periodicals aloud for the New Mexico Commission for the Blind—a role that adds unexpected meaning to the visual nature of his work.
Artist Statement
I craft powerful compositions that evoke emotion and often tell a story. I paint from photographs I take around town, scenes I build using 3D posing software, or moments inspired by films and television. Before I begin, I rearrange and crop each image in multiple ways, refining the composition until it feels right. Composition and color are the driving forces behind my work.
As a New Mexican and Northern California artist, I am largely self-taught, having explored watercolor, pastel, clay, ink, and digital media, though oil has been my primary medium for the past seven to eight years. I enjoy painting a still life now and then, but my favorite subject is people in motion, any kind of person in any kind of movement. Much of my inspiration comes from the beauty of motion, especially dance. I began by drawing and painting my wife and daughter doing what they love. They have both danced Italian folk for many years, and they have long been the subjects of my camera.
I often work from video clips, selecting the right frame and composing it in Photoshop before transferring the image to canvas. My earlier work leaned toward photo realism, but after working as a caricature artist, I embraced the freedom of improvisation in my brushwork, which allows me to express my vision more fully.
As a New Mexican and Northern California artist, I am largely self-taught, having explored watercolor, pastel, clay, ink, and digital media, though oil has been my primary medium for the past seven to eight years. I enjoy painting a still life now and then, but my favorite subject is people in motion, any kind of person in any kind of movement. Much of my inspiration comes from the beauty of motion, especially dance. I began by drawing and painting my wife and daughter doing what they love. They have both danced Italian folk for many years, and they have long been the subjects of my camera.
I often work from video clips, selecting the right frame and composing it in Photoshop before transferring the image to canvas. My earlier work leaned toward photo realism, but after working as a caricature artist, I embraced the freedom of improvisation in my brushwork, which allows me to express my vision more fully.
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