Brian Proud

My painting career first began with a love of two things: theatre and Bob Ross.  Having dabbled for a time painting my own little happy trees, I became involved with a local community theatre near where I grew up in Littleton, Colorado.  I was asked to paint their sets and I was hooked.  

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I attended the two year training program at Cobalt Studios in New York to learn how the pros did it, and afterwards was accepted as an apprentice to the United Scenic Artists union in New York City.  I quickly became a Journeyman and spent a few years in New York absorbing everything I could.  It was a wild ride and I was fortunate to work on several Broadway productions with Hudson Scenic Studios, and television shows with HBO, NBC, FOX and ABC - and I still benefit from the lessons I learned there.  

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After that, life took me on a journey around the country painting for large regional theatres, universities, production companies, and opera - in Denver, Santa Fe, Memphis and Nashville.  When the universe surprised me with the big 2020 curveball, I quickly pivoted and began focusing on commercial artwork and private commissions.  

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Now happily settled in Portland, Oregon with my husband and two feisty cats, I continue my work in commercial art, private commissions, and murals for businesses and private residences.