Stokes Of Genius

Name: Brian Whisnant

Birthday: November 23, 1988

Birthplace: Christiansburg, VA


In Salem Virginia resides an artist who is making a loud impression with his work. His pen is a brush, his notebook is a canvas, his words are the paint, and his song is the picture. This artist is painter and art maker Brian Whisnant. In an interview I asked Brian a few questions about his work and goals for the future here is what he had to say: 
 
B.Evans: What do you use for inspiration?
BW: Everything inspires me somehow in my art, but music and nature are probably my biggest inspirations.

B.Evans: Who are your influences?
BW: Banksy and Shepard Fairy are probably my biggest influences. I really like the social messages and  vandal aspect of their art. The style and color Van Gogh, Wassily Kandinsky, and Egon Schiele influence me.

B.Evans: Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
BW: If I can sustain myself on my artwork alone, that would be ideal, but hopefully in five years I'll have a career in the creative side of advertising and marketing with my own poster business selling prints of iconic pop figures on the side.

B.Evans: What is your proudest achievement?
BW: I've never felt prouder than after I finished my Lil Wayne painting. The reaction I received from the painting was amazing and it was the first time I though "Man, I can actually sell my work and make good money with it."

B.Evans: If you could who would you like to work with?
BW: If I could work with anyone it would be Andy Goldsworthy. I love how everything he does is in nature and so unconventional. You should check out his work. He goes out and makes art with nothing other than what he finds in nature.

B.Evans: What future work do you have coming up in the near future?
BW: Everyone tells me how I should show the portraits I do to the people I do them of. I took this idea and I'm doing a painting of Megan Fox in the hope that I can meet her and get her to sign it. As far as rappers go, I think the next person I'm going to paint is Snoop Dogg.

Below are samples of Brian's work as well as a link where you can purchase these paintings.  Stay updated for more of his work coming soon. 

Jay Z Painting                                                                Lil Wayne Painting