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Kentucky-born creative now calling Austin home, where raw talent in both art and music thrives. Whether he’s setting up his easel or pulling out his guitar, Brian blurs the line between sound and color with every brushstroke. His work is vibrant, unfiltered, and full of color — just like the music that fuels him. From playful portraits to plein air sessions, Brian’s story is as layered as his canvases. Dive into a world where every painting has a soundtrack, and every song leaves a mark.

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Lately I’ve been scrambling to get my pieces ready in time for the Austin Studio Tour. The one thing I like about deadlines is it forces me to paint on days when I otherwise wouldn’t. Some days I feel uninspired, anxious, and low energy. When I pick up the brush on days like these I almost always find it picks up my mood and puts me in a better headspace overall. There is certainly a need for rest in any creative pursuit, but I usually find painting to be even more rejuvenating than a night of binge watching TV shows or scrolling social media. #arttherapy #oilpainting #austinartist
“Heavy Lidded Eyes Gazing Into Fire” I started this painting almost 2 years ago and never did I think it would take me this long to finish. The composition is simple but I kept coming back to it every few months and finding new ways to
“Heavy Lidded Eyes Gazing Into Fire” I started this painting almost 2 years ago and never did I think it would take me this long to finish. The composition is simple but I kept coming back to it every few months and finding new ways to enhance the firelight reflecting on my face. I remember chopping up dead trees with my dad as a kid and him saying, “Splitting wood warms the body twice”. It took me years to realize the significance of the expression. The fire you build provides warmth, but so does the hard work preparing it. The same could be said about painting or any endeavor. The end result is rewarding but all the time spent with brush in hand is even more meaningful. Fires and art posses a certain magical quality, but like any good magic trick the real essence lies in the behind the scenes part you don’t see. The human spirit is kept burning by our day to day devotion and hard work. Splitting wood warms the body twice. #oilpainting #westernart #portraitpainting
Inspiration can come from anywhere - even the giant dead palm tree in your front yard. A few months back I was on my porch and a serendipitous moment happened. One of my favorite birds, (I’m a bird nerd) the pileated wood pecker, just happened
Inspiration can come from anywhere - even the giant dead palm tree in your front yard. A few months back I was on my porch and a serendipitous moment happened. One of my favorite birds, (I’m a bird nerd) the pileated wood pecker, just happened to be making her nightly return to her nest right before my eyes. She made a few half hearted attempts to catch an insect, and then climbed into the hollowed out entrance she created to tend to her chicks. The large bird with striking red crest against the blue sky backdrop and the setting sun hitting the bark made for a cool painting opportunity and a moment I’ll always remember. I think little miracles are out there everywhere just waiting for us to slow down and notice them. (16x20 oil on canvas) #pileatedwoodpecker #oilpainting #birding
One of my main goals for this year was to “legitimize” myself as an artist. I hate that term because it implies I’ve been an illegitimate artist to this point, but what it really means to me is to invest in my lifelong dream and div
One of my main goals for this year was to “legitimize” myself as an artist. I hate that term because it implies I’ve been an illegitimate artist to this point, but what it really means to me is to invest in my lifelong dream and dive in fully. One step for doing that was to create a website to house my portfolio and tell my story and one day sell art pieces from. I’m happy to announce that brianalexandermenke.com is now live (link in bio)! I’m also excited to share these awesome pics from my shoot with @furthercreativestudio. Thank you to everyone who has supported my dreams over the years. I’m excited for this next chapter as a “legit artist” 👨‍🎨 lol. More art coming soon! (Last pic titled “like one of your French girls”) #austinart #oilpainting #paintersofinstagram
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be a Featured Artist for the 2025 Austin Studio Tour. I have been a fan of the studio tour in the past and can’t wait to be a participant this November. More details to come! @almostrealth
I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be a Featured Artist for the 2025 Austin Studio Tour. I have been a fan of the studio tour in the past and can’t wait to be a participant this November. More details to come! @almostrealthings 📸: @furthercreativestudio
Summer of Love (and rolling pigs) (and frozens)
Summer of Love (and rolling pigs) (and frozens)
I won’t ever forget this night. First live full band performance of “Perfect Lover for Apocalypse”. Thanks for having me @sal_ransombros , you sure know how to throw a soirée 🕺🏼 #austinmusic #originalmusic
Lately I’ve been scrambling to get my pieces ready in time for the Austin Studio Tour. The one thing I like about deadlines is it forces me to paint on days when I otherwise wouldn’t. Some days I feel uninspired, anxious, and low energy.
“Heavy Lidded Eyes Gazing Into Fire” I started this painting almost 2 years ago and never did I think it would take me this long to finish. The composition is simple but I kept coming back to it every few months and finding new ways to Inspiration can come from anywhere - even the giant dead palm tree in your front yard. A few months back I was on my porch and a serendipitous moment happened. One of my favorite birds, (I’m a bird nerd) the pileated wood pecker, just happened One of my main goals for this year was to “legitimize” myself as an artist. I hate that term because it implies I’ve been an illegitimate artist to this point, but what it really means to me is to invest in my lifelong dream and div I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be a Featured Artist for the 2025 Austin Studio Tour. I have been a fan of the studio tour in the past and can’t wait to be a participant this November. More details to come! @almostrealth Summer of Love (and rolling pigs) (and frozens)
I won’t ever forget this night. First live full band performance of “Perfect Lover for Apocalypse”. Thanks for having me @sal_ransombros , you sure know how to throw a soirée 🕺🏼 #austinmusic #originalmusic