Brad Teare
The Poetry of Thick Paint
Episode 79
Episode length: 1 hour and 14 minutes
What gives a painting the power to stop us in our tracks?
For artist Brad Teare, it’s more than subject matter. It’s the energy of the paint itself—the texture, the color, the visible record of the artist’s hand, and the courage to embrace authenticity over perfection. Brad Teare is a Utah-based painter whose expressive landscapes are known for their vibrant color, bold palette-knife work, and richly textured surfaces. Before dedicating himself to fine art, he enjoyed a successful career as an illustrator, creating work for clients including The New York Times and Random House. Today his paintings are represented by galleries throughout the American West and have been featured in numerous museum exhibitions and invitational shows.
In this episode of The Artful Painter, I sit down with Utah landscape painter Brad Teare to explore the philosophy behind his distinctive, richly textured paintings. Brad shares how his career evolved from illustration and woodcut printmaking to becoming one of today’s most recognizable painters of the American West. Along the way, we discuss how seeing Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in person changed his understanding of what paint could do, why artists should resist the temptation to imitate their heroes, and how finding your own artistic voice is a journey every artist must take alone.
One of my favorite moments in our conversation comes when Brad describes texture as more than a visual effect. Every stroke of paint records a decision, preserving the history of its creation and inviting viewers to connect with the artist in a deeply human way. It’s a fascinating discussion about why original paintings possess a presence that photographs and reproductions can never fully capture.
Whether you’re a painter searching for your own voice, a collector interested in what makes original artwork so compelling, or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful conversations about creativity, I think you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this episode.
In this episode:
How Brad transitioned from a successful illustration career into fine art
Why seeing Van Gogh’s paintings in person transformed his approach to painting
The role of texture in creating emotional impact
How woodcut printmaking continues to influence his paintings
Why authenticity matters more than technical perfection
What collectors see—and feel—when standing in front of an original painting
Thanks for listening to The Artful Painter. If you enjoy these conversations, please consider sharing the podcast with a fellow artist or art lover.
Brad Teare
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Links
Brad Teare
Website: https://bradteare.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradteare/
Other Links
Maynard Dixon Home & Studio: https://thunderbirdfoundation.com/visit-the-maynard-dixon-home-and-studio/
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Transcript
A Note About This Transcript
This transcript has been edited for clarity. I’ve endeavored to capture the thoughts and expressions of my guest as accurately and truthfully as possible. In some cases this means completing incomplete thoughts, removing stammers and word fillers such as um, like, you know, and so forth. I’ve edited the transcript to make it easier to read. Please pardon the inevitable errors that I may have made or overlooked.
“It’s not the mountain. I’m after something else.”
