Working primarily in oil, Brian McClear creates representational still lifes and portraits that bring together everyday objects in unexpected combinations and often incorporate visual puns or metaphors. His subjects range from playful or nostalgic pairings to compositions that reflect social, political, or environmental themes. McClear’s intuitive, painterly brushwork emphasizes the visible presence of the artist’s hand. After graduating from the Columbus College of Art & Design, he worked as an illustrator and spent over twenty years in advertising before returning to painting as his primary focus. He is based in Connecticut.