Brian O'Neill doesn't see walls.
He sees canvases.
A decorative artist, he paints murals, trompe l'oeil (objects rendered realistically and given the illusion of depth) and faux finishes for clients seeking a little art in their homes or businesses.
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After moving from New York City to Rochester in August, he's already worked on four projects in town and exhibited at the Clothesline Festival.
A retrospective of his oil works also are on display at the Daniel Ward Salon on Park Avenue through January.
Were you always artistic?
Yes, my whole life. Definitely. I started mostly by drawing a lot as a kid.
When did you begin to make this a career?
During my late twenties is when I realized that I wanted to make a lifelong endeavor to pursue art full time. It was about four years ago that I started my decorative art business.
You work in a variety of mediums. Which is your favorite?
Oil. But watercolor is right up there.
Do you have a specific theme you like to incorporate into your work?
Landscapes. I've always been really drawn to nature and landscapes. I'm approaching landscapes now in more impressionistic, abstract ways, but the images are still recognizable. My current work is moodier, and the brushstrokes are much heavier — rendered in a much thicker, looser style. I guess the best way to describe it is more mature.
When you paint murals in homes, do you work with the client or have a vision all your own?
It's a combination of both. Sometimes people don't have any idea what they want, and they invite me in to look and offer them suggestions. Sometimes people have cutouts from magazines or photos from vacations. If they're working with an interior designer, I collaborate with them.
How does it feel to know your art is often lived in as opposed to just admired?
It's a great feeling. It's something I don't take lightly. My creativity is such a huge part of who I am, and to be able to leave pieces of that behind in people's homes and see how happy it makes them is incredibly rewarding.
Do you ever get invited to visit your work?
Yes. I've actually become pretty close with some of the clients I've worked with — I've even spent Thanksgiving with some of them. You put so much into it that you can't help but connect with the people you work for.
How much is your own place painted?
I've done some faux painting in my apartment — a little here and there. But we're looking for a house, and I'm sure that it'll look like the Sistine Chapel by the time I'm done with it.
What do you hope others take from your work?
Serenity — a feeling of serenity.
What inspires you?
Color. I use a lot of color in my work. And finding new ways to look at images that I have painted a lot, like still-life florals, and finding new ways to look at them. What mostly inspires me is an empty canvas and the compulsion to fill it.
What others think of his work
“When I first saw it, I was blown away by his work. He's very talented. He's probably the best artist we've displayed here.”
Daniel Ward, 39, owner Daniel Ward Salon, Rochester
“There's an energy about him and his work — he has such a passion. He is his work. He's enveloped in it, and you can see that in his pieces — they're full of life and passion.”
Denine Regnier Pappalardo, 44, owner of Regnier Interiors, Fairport
“His work is very impressive. It's beautiful work. I had him do a faux finish in my kitchen, and it's really striking. I've never seen a faux finish look like this before.”
Mary Ann Giglio, 53, Brockport
