Bret Neathery

Born in small town in south-central Missouri, I spent my early years surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Ozark Mountains—a landscape that quietly shaped how I see rhythm, pattern, and place. Though I’ve lived in cities like Denver and Kansas City, and traveled widely throughout the USA and abroad, my heart remains rooted in small-town life and the deeper sense of community that comes with it. That grounding shows up in my work, even if the subject isn’t literal.

I paint abstractly, influenced by the raw energy of Jackson Pollock, the thoughtful restraint of Robert Motherwell, the bold gesture of Willem de Kooning, and the quiet spiritual abstraction found in the work of Georgia O’Keeffe. Geometry, symbols, and layered shapes appear consistently in my work—not just for visual interest but to create a kind of visual rhythm, like music unfolding on canvas. My palette is deeply informed by the desert Southwest, a nod to my early influences and to my mother, who painted Western themes as a novice painter.

My collectors tend to be thoughtful people who value a story, place, and the long arc of a meaningful life. They often tell me my work feels like a memory, or a map of their own path. And I think that’s right—each piece is layered with my own lived experience, but open enough to hold yours too.

Whether you’re drawn to the colors, the movement, or just a sense that something in the work sees you—I’m glad you’re here. And if you find a piece that feels like it belongs in your life, I hope it will anchor you the way painting anchors me.