Mountain Music Festival 2020 :: Artwork

February 1, 2020 / News, Portfolio, Show Posters / 0 Comments

It’s a  West Virginia Cryptid Family Jam! Psychedelic artist, Brian Zickafoose returns to Ace Adventure Resort for another round of music, art and festival fun. This year’s poster art features several famous mythical monsters from his home state of West Virginia, Sasquatch, Bat Boy, the Flatwoods Monster and Mothman. This year’s poster marks, Zickafoose’s fourth year illustrating the official artwork for the festival and appearance as a feature live painter and Pigment Sanctuary art gallery staple. Zickafoose sat for an interview with the festival promoters to talk about the art and the magic that goes into the creation of the illustration. Mountain Music Festival is happening June 4-6 at Ace Adventure Resort on the New River Gorge, West Virginia. Read the full interview here.

Brian Zickafoose Featured in The Jamwich

May 1, 2019 / News / 0 Comments

The Jamwich Issue 84 – May 2019
I have been a huge fan of Taco and Elise Olmstead’s publication and their involvement with the jam band scene for a long time. So I was thrilled when they asked me to be featured artist for this issue. Elise has been healing from battling cancer and the fact that this issue was even happening I felt was an incredible blessing. In the interview, I dive into the spiritual mission of the artist and the challenges of moving my studio and family to New York. It gets pretty deep – well worth the read. A LOT of Love went into this!

Order a copy here: http://www.thejamwich.com/product/jamwich-issue-84/

World Video Premier: All Eyes on the Sunrise – A Painting by Brian C. Zickafoose

June 16, 2018 / Multimedia, Portfolio / 0 Comments


~ Psychedelic Country Presents ~
All Eyes on the Sunrise :: New River Gorge, West Virginia
An Oil Painting by Brian C. Zickafoose © 2018
See more at www.PsyCountry.com

Video Credits
Executive Producer – Brian Zickafoose
Video Produced by Whole Brain Productions – wholebrainproductions@gmail.com
Directed and Edited by Adam Sowder
Filmed on Location in the New River Gorge, West Virginia

Painting :: All Eyes on the Sunrise – New River Gorge, West Virginia

June 16, 2018 / Paintings, Portfolio / 0 Comments

 

All Eyes on the Sunrise: New River Gorge, West Virginia
36″ x 24″ x 2″ – Egg Tempera and Oil Mischtechnik Painting on Canvas
Brian Christopher Zickafoose © 2018
Approximately 150+ hours of Love were put into this painting. 

About the Artwork
High above the tree tops, a falcon stirs from an early morning rain as the first rays of the sun shatters the dew. In the belly of the New River Gorge, a dense veil of geometric shapes falls into the chasm like pick-up sticks. The fog dissipates slightly in the distance to reveal the spine of the New River Gorge Bridge bent across the background. The heat of the morning sun unchains misty, angelic, vapor into the atmosphere. “All Eyes on the Sunrise” is the artist’s tribute to the breath taking, mystical mornings of West Virginia. Thanks for looking. Enjoy!

Available Print Editions
36″ x 24″ – Edition of 50 – $600.00 (List – $850.00)Paper Editions
36″ x 24″ on Artist Rag Matte – Edition of 50 – $320.00 (List – $420.00)
20″ x 16″ on Economy Matte – Edition of 250 – $59.00 (List – $89.00)
7″ x 5″ on Hahnemuhle Bamboo – Edition of 10 – $24.00

1.5″ Gallery-Wrap Borders included on all canvas prints.

Each print is signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

US Shipping Included (USPS First Class with Tracking Number.)

International shipping available for $50 (does not include customs taxes that may apply in your country.)

4 Important Lessons That I Learned From Alex Grey and Allyson Grey

August 21, 2017 / Blog, News / 0 Comments

Alex and Allyson Grey, Zenna (age 5), Xia (age 6), Brian and Jeannine Zickafoose – Photo by Genevieve Wood

It’s a rare occasion that you get to spend an entire week hanging out and painting with your art heroes. 

    In July 2017, I had the honor and privilege to do just that when I travelled to Wappingers Falls, New York to attend the Visionary Art Painting Intensive, hosted by world renowned artists Alex and Allyson Grey at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM). I previously attended the workshop back in 2015 and it up-leveled my art business so significantly that I vowed to return as soon as physically possible, and next time bring my wife and two daughters so they might also experience the magic.
    We convened with 20 artists from around the world for the painting adventure of a lifetime. Our objective — to make substantial progress on two paintings: a self portrait and a visionary painting of our choice.

Sketchbook excerpt – Visionary Intensive Elements of Art – Brian Zickafoose

It began with a prayer to the Divine Creative Spirit.

    Typical daily activities consisted of in-depth lectures on the history of visionary art, portfolio presentations from each resident artist and multiple painting sessions. Open studio in the evenings allowed for my family and other folks to join in the fun and paint. Late night art-ing was increasingly common as the week progressed and painters dug deeper into their works.
    Nestled on a gorgeous stretch of the Hudson River Valley, CoSM was the perfect setting for an artist retreat and the lush property afforded a plethora of natural wonders to stoke the creative fires. Morning strolls on the Wisdom Trail, sunsets at the cistern and watching tiny frogs dance though rays of sunlight at the reflecting pond all made for inspiring moments.
    The Grey’s are talented artists and well studied teachers. Each participant in the course received a personal consultation with an ‘ask us anything’ approach. At the end of the course, the group critique session was filled with love and encouragement and sound advice for improvement.
    There were numerous take home points but these four notes resonated with me the most.

Group Critique Session with Alex Grey and Allyson Grey – Photo by Linzy Miggantz

1. Art IS a valid spiritual practice.

“There is no better evidence of the divine realms than a well-crafted painting by an eye witness account.” – Alex Grey
    Sacred art is one of the most ancient practices known to man. Cave paintings dated over 10,000 years ago depict “mushroom men” engaging in hunting rituals with strange beasts. From times unknown, the World’s great religious and spiritual movements have utilized art as a method for healing and expressing the divine.
    Contemporary visionary artists continue this tradition. We craft our creations with heart and mind and infuse each piece with positive intention, each brush stroke a prayer for the world. In the words of maestro Alex Grey, “People are awakening because we’re coming with the good stuff, AND it heals.”

Visionary Intensive Late Night Art Sesh

2. You are NOT alone.

“Having everyone together in one place is like a creative battery that calls in the angels.” – Alex Grey
    Nurturing a healthy creative and spiritual network can mean the difference between success and failure. The assemblage of talent at CoSM was unrivaled. Making art is usually a solitary act. Immersing oneself in an all encompassing creative environment had a remarkably transformative effect on one’s perspective. Anything seemed possible.
    Interaction with the other artists allowed for in-depth observation of the various technical approaches and the unique influences each artist brought to their work. Deep friendships were forged over lengthy painting sessions laced with banter about philosophy and the challenges of making art. There was an undeniable synergy between all of the creative bodies drawing inspiration from each other.

Entheon – Get In on the Ground Floor – Plein Air 8×10 Acrylic – Brian Zickafoose

3. Dream BIGGER!

“The inevitable consequence of love is the building of temples.”- Alex Grey
    Once upon a time, Alex and Allyson Grey were working artists operating their studio in the Chelsea District of New York City. They dreamed of uniting the international visionary art community and creating an enduring sanctuary of visionary art for all to behold.
   Years later, with the help of many friends, they purchased property in upstate NY and transformed the existing facility into a spiritual epicenter with a functioning bed and breakfast that hosts a variety of art events through the year. Their dream will come to fruition later this year when they open the doors to the epic, three-story art exhibit known as Entheon.
    Step by step, they made necessary moves to make it all happen. Two artists and a lot of love did this. As I pondered this notion, I gazed out the window of the studio classroom at the construction being done on the Entheon structure and I considered the possibility that I needed to seriously reconsider my goals. I needed to dream bigger… much, much bigger.

Zickafoose Family Art Selfie with Alex Grey in the Background

4. YOU are art.

    Having my wife, Jenny and my two young daughters, Xia and Zenna accompany me to CoSM was a dream come true for us all. My wife and I take great pride in raising creative kids and we spend most of our spare time playing music and making stuff together. My heart nearly burst with joy as I watched my children playing with paint brushes in hand, learning and interacting with world class artists.
   My wife and our daughters cherished the unique insight provided by Allyson Grey about the challenges and rewards of being a professional artist and parenting kids. We were reminded all week that the energy we invest in each other matters.
    As we packed up our gear and took our photos on the final day, Alex and Allyson expressed gratitude to my wife and I for bringing our children. They told us that by being a conscious family and by loving one another we were healing broken hearts and teaching lost souls how to love. For me that was the golden moment that validated everything; that simply focussing on loving myself and my family was the greatest expression of art that I could engage. That ultimately being a better artist meant being a better person.

Just Eat Me Already – 24×24 Inch Oil on Canvas – Work in Progress by Brian Zickafoose

It concluded with hugs and tears of joy.

    The Grey’s were gracious hosts who opened up their hearts and home and provided an enriching, family friendly learning environment. Blessed are the brethren who made the pilgrimage to the 2017 Visionary Art Painting Intensive. It was truly an honor to attend and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the community at CoSM.
 

    This program was presented with financial assistance by the West Virginia Division of History and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Check out this short movie about the Visionary Art Painting Intensive by my friend, colleague and fellow 2015 Intensive attendee, Perry Kroeger:

The Flight of Fancy :: Painting + Prints

June 24, 2016 / Paintings, Portfolio / 0 Comments

The Flight of Fancy
36″ x 36″ x 2″ – Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas
Brian Christopher Zickafoose © 2016
Approximately 400+ Hours worked on from May 2014 to May 2016

About the Artwork

Enter a realm of jewels and splendor in the latest visionary painting, “The Flight of Fancy” by Brian C. Zickafoose. This stunning piece originated from a series of visions that I downloaded from a DMT adventure that I embarked upon in 2008 at a party in Blacksburg, Virginia, during my time as a concert promoter in the area. The frame featured in this painting is the highlight of those visions and took 5 years in concept development before I ever laid a single stroke to canvas. I am proud to say that the finished product is a remarkably true representation of the original vision that I received, so many years ago. I spent many tedious hours hammering out this painting to see the vision through to completion and now my bejeweled insect friend exists in my dimension. I have opened a portal for you to enjoy. Thank you for looking.