Brad Bisbey
Brad Bisbey began drawing and painting at the age of 9 and decided early on to pursue a career in fine art, particularly painting. He graduated from St. Ambrose University with a B.A. Degree in Art. Brad also studied with renowned portrait painter Daniel Greene in Chicago. An oil painter for many years, Brad developed an allergy to oil paint and solvents and had to find another medium in which to work. Acrylic paint was a possible solution. After getting used to the acrylic, Brad wouldn’t return to oil paint, even if he could. Brad lives in Moline, Illinois in the same house in which he grew up. He exhibits, teaches, and works with Bereskin Gallery. He also maintains a website at bradbisbey.com. For me, painting is a personal journey, a kind of visual journal of life around me. Anyone and anything is a potential subject, so I try to stay awake to everything around me. Whatever the subject, I want first to be competent with the process and the materials, but I am equally concerned with communicating how I feel about what is before me. I am always looking for that balance between reason and emotion in my work. I must first have an emotional connection with the subject because I know that if a subject touches me, it may touch another person as well. In the final analysis, my painting is both a search and a means of communication.
Brad's work on display at Nikulski Financial, Inc. includes the following:
- River Walkers
- Forest Light
- I-74 Bridge
- Outlook
- Rock Island Riverfront
- Sidewalk Cafe
- Iowa Evening