Instagram story viewer> @mcclearart> Posts

Brian McClear

@mcclearart

969

followers

1536

following

Oil Painter | Contemporary Realism
Salmagundi Club • AAPL Signature • LAA (Elected)
Portraiture & Conceptual Still Life
↓ mcclearart.com

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

THANK YOU

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out last night for the opening of Still Matters. It was wonderful to see the gallery filled with friends, fellow artists, collectors, and so many people spending time with the work.

After working toward this exhibition for quite some time, it was especially rewarding to see these paintings together in such a beautiful gallery —and having the opportunity to share them with all of you.

My thanks as well to everyone at CT State Tunxis and the Barnes-Franklin Gallery for making the exhibition possible.

For those who weren’t able to join us last night, Still Matters remains on view through November 5. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit.

STILL MATTERS
Barnes-Franklin Gallery | CT State Tunxis
On view through November 5 by @mcclearart

50

17

2 days ago

ORANGE CRUSH
30 × 30 inches | Oil on canvas

A very special thank you to the collector who graciously loaned Orange Crush for the duration of Still Matters.

Tonight will mark the first time this painting has been exhibited publicly, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to include it in the show.

Please join us tonight for the opening reception.

STILL MATTERS
Opening Reception: Tonight | 5–7 pm
Barnes-Franklin Gallery | CT State Tunxis
271 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT

On view October 1–November 5.

I hope to see you there. by @mcclearart

41

7

3 days ago

VIEWING THE MOMENT

I’m honored to be included in Viewing the Moment, a group exhibition featuring the artists of Gallery One at Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA).

Featuring paintings, collage, mixed media, and photography, the exhibition is on view now through October 17.

Please join us for the closing reception on Saturday, October 17, from 2–4 pm.

VIEWING THE MOMENT
September 17 – October 17, 2026
Closing Reception: Saturday, October 17 | 2–4 pm
SoCCA | 93 Main Street, Southington, CT by @mcclearart

42

9

7 days ago

Instagram

STILL MATTERS

I’m very pleased to invite you to Still Matters, my solo exhibition opening Thursday, October 1 at the Barnes-Franklin Gallery at CT State Tunxis.

The exhibition brings together 24 still life paintings responding to the political landscape, along with broader social and environmental matters, through the language of everyday objects.

STILL MATTERS
October 1 – November 5, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 1 | 5–7 pm
Barnes-Franklin Gallery | CT State Tunxis
Farmington, Connecticut

I hope you’ll have a chance to join me for the opening or visit the exhibition while it’s on view.

More information and a preview of the exhibition at the link in bio.

— Brian by @mcclearart

39

9

8 days ago

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS

Chalk & Chambers will be returning for Still Matters, my upcoming solo exhibition at CT State Tunxis, opening October 1.

A very special thank you to the generous collector who has agreed to loan the painting for the duration of the exhibition. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to include it in the show.

Still Matters brings together 24 still life paintings responding to the current political landscape, along with broader social and environmental concerns, through the familiar language of everyday objects.

Chalk & Chambers
48 × 48”
Oil on canvas

STILL MATTERS
October 1 – November 5, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 1 | 5–7 pm
Barnes-Franklin Gallery | CT State Tunxis
Farmington, Connecticut by @mcclearart

24

5

11 days ago

DAY ONE

A nice and very long day in the studio.

40 × 40” oil on canvas, and plenty more to do—but a good start. I’m already looking forward to getting back to it today.

There’s a lot happening in the studio right now as I get ready for Still Matters, opening October 1 at CT State Tunxis, but it always feels good to have another painting underway.

More to come.

— Brian by @mcclearart

29

1

12 days ago

JUST ANOTHER DUCK-UP

Just Another Duck-Up began with the ongoing saga of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool—a story that seemed almost too absurd not to paint.

A vintage utility knife, pieces of sealant and a cheerful rubber duck gave me the visual shorthand I was looking for.

Just Another Duck-Up
60 × 40”
Oil on canvas by @mcclearart

33

5

15 days ago

BELL PEPPERS

I’m very happy to have Bell Peppers accepted into Lyme Art Association’s Bon Appétit, a juried exhibition opening this week in Old Lyme.

The exhibition runs September 18 through November 4, with the Opening Reception & Awards this Sunday, September 20, from 2–4 pm.

Bell Peppers
48 × 48”
Oil on canvas

Bon Appétit
September 18 – November 4, 2026
Opening Reception & Awards: Sunday, September 20 | 2–4 pm
Lyme Art Association
90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT

If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll have a chance to stop by and see the exhibition.

— Brian by @mcclearart

39

11

16 days ago

DAY ONE

Back to a blank canvas.

This one is a bit larger — 60 × 40” — and starts with a vintage utility knife, a vintage rubber duck, and a few shreds of pool liner.

That’s probably enough explanation for Day One.

Plenty more to come. by @mcclearart

54

4

20 days ago

STRAIT TALK

A vintage Battleship game brought back memories of the many hours I spent playing it as a kid.

My wife, Heidi, had never played before. We went through the rules...and she proceeded to beat me four games in a row. Apparently, I woefully underestimated my opponent. 😂

The irony isn’t lost on me.

As is often the case, nostalgia was simply the starting point...

Strait Talk
40 × 40”
Oil on canvas by @mcclearart

25

6

21 days ago

GETTING THERE…

With Still Matters opening October 1, there’s been a little less painting yesterday/today and a lot more measuring, cutting, joining and finishing around the studio lately.

Twenty-two works are currently planned for the exhibition—which means plenty to do before they make their way onto the walls at the Barnes-Franklin Gallery at CT State Tunxis.

Frames and stretchers today. Back to the easel tomorrow!

Still Matters
October 1 – November 5
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 1 • 5–7pm
Barnes-Franklin Gallery | CT State Tunxis, Farmington by @mcclearart

18

12

22 days ago

2B OR NOT

One of the great pleasures of someone taking your work into their home is occasionally getting a glimpse of where it lands.

2B or Not found its way across the country some time ago, and its collector was kind enough to share this photo with me. It’s always rewarding to see a painting in the space that was chosen for it.

My thanks to the collector for sharing the photo—and especially for giving 2B or Not such a wonderful home.

A large-format print of 2B or Not will be included in my upcoming solo exhibition, Still Matters, opening October 1 at the Barnes-Franklin Gallery at CT State Tunxis in Farmington.

2B or Not
48 × 48” • Oil on canvas
Private Collection by @mcclearart

31

8

23 days ago