
Duane Brown
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Artist Duane Brown captures everyday life with a focus on intimate, often overlooked moments. Originally from Northern California and now based in New Mexico, Duane began as a photo-realist but found new energy in expressive painting after years of working as a caricature artist. “I found the freedom of improvisation in my brushstrokes to be a more rewarding way to express my vision,” shares Duane. His scenes often unfold instinctively, drawing references from live models, 3D software, personal photos, and even paused frames from old movies. Duane paints from a home studio, where he can easily respond to bursts of inspiration day or night. Outside of painting, he reads newspapers and periodicals aloud for the New Mexico Commission for the Blind—a role that adds unexpected meaning to the visual nature of his work.



Artist Statement
I create powerful compositions that evoke emotion and often tell a story. My work is frequently inspired by daily life—symbols of what we see around us—usually focusing on a particular part of a scene or object. Composition and color are the driving forces behind my inspiration.
Over the years, I’ve studied watercolor, pastel, clay, ink, and digital media, and in recent years, oil painting has become my medium of choice. My earlier work leaned more toward realism, but after taking a second job as a caricature artist, I discovered the freedom of improvisation in my brushstrokes—a more rewarding way to express my vision.
My reference material comes from many sources. I often create my models using DAZ 3D or Poser programs—unless I have a model handy, like a friend or family member. Sometimes, while watching an old movie, I’ll freeze a frame and manipulate the image in Photoshop until it suits the scene I’m thinking of. And sometimes, my material simply comes from an image I have lying around.
When I’m not behind the easel, my wife Irene—a dancer and the model for much of my work—and I love to travel and cook together whenever possible.
Over the years, I’ve studied watercolor, pastel, clay, ink, and digital media, and in recent years, oil painting has become my medium of choice. My earlier work leaned more toward realism, but after taking a second job as a caricature artist, I discovered the freedom of improvisation in my brushstrokes—a more rewarding way to express my vision.
My reference material comes from many sources. I often create my models using DAZ 3D or Poser programs—unless I have a model handy, like a friend or family member. Sometimes, while watching an old movie, I’ll freeze a frame and manipulate the image in Photoshop until it suits the scene I’m thinking of. And sometimes, my material simply comes from an image I have lying around.
When I’m not behind the easel, my wife Irene—a dancer and the model for much of my work—and I love to travel and cook together whenever possible.
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