BRIAN J. HART

Brian grew up on the campus of Ferrum College in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where his father, Dr. Joseph T. Hart, was president for fifteen years. He earned a fine arts degree from Ferrum in 1985, studying under Jane Stogner, a well known Virginia artist. However, the most inspirational artist in Brian's life is his mother, Carolyn Hart, an award winning watercolorist and active member of the Virginia Watercolor Society. After graduating, Brian worked and traveled from the blue waters of the Caribbean, to the Mountain splendor of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, before returning to southwest Virginia in 1990, to pursue his art career.  Brian and his wife, Carey, currently reside in Rocky Mount, Virginia, where he splits his time between his artwork, and his children Hunter, Adriana, Gabriella and Bode.  The children's names are hidden in all of Hart's prints. In the rare event that Brian finds some extra time, you will most likely find him in his backyard on the Blackwater River with a fishing rod in his hand.

Personal Statement

Thank you for your interest in my artwork. Over the years, I have enjoyed many compliments, none greater than one I received a few years ago from an elderly gentleman at a festival in the small town of Pulaski, Virginia. At my booth, the gentleman picked up my print of "Maple Shade Inn," a historic hotel in Pulaski, long since lost to fire. As he studied the drawing, a grin came over his face as he began to tell me a detailed story of himself as a young boy playing on the porch of the grand old hotel. My simple drawing had reminded him of a wonderful time in his past. The thought of that is very fulfilling to me. As I recall, I gave him the print. As far as I was concerned, he had paid in full, many times over.
It is my hope that in my artwork you too will see more than just a good drawing, I hope you will find a good memory as well. If so, I always love to hear about it or any other comments or suggestions.

Thanks Again,
Brian J. Hart