Brian Emerson is a contemporary painter whose bold, expressive landscapes and seascapes reflect a lifelong connection to the New England environment. Known for his vibrant colors, strong lines, and simplified forms, Brian’s work invites the viewer to explore place, emotion, and memory through an abstracted lens. “You can strip a scene down and still turn up the volume," he says. “It’s not about copying nature—it’s about expressing how it felt to stand there.” Originally from New Hampshire, Brian moved to Maine in the mid-1990s and married Colleen Barter, daughter of renowned Maine painter Philip Barter. Working alongside his father-in-law and other members of the Barter family on public art installations helped him refine his style and gain confidence in his creative path. “I saw how you could make this your life,” he says. “That was a real moment for me.” Brian draws inspiration from the Maine coast, rural landscapes, and urban scenes—often sketching and painting en plein air before translating his vision into large-scale acrylic works in the studio. He cites early-to-mid 20th-century artists like Marsden Hartley, Georgia O’Keeffe, and John Marin as key influences, favoring saturated color, dramatic composition, and emotional clarity. His creative process is intuitive and open-ended. “I like that vagueness,” he explains. “It lets the viewer fill it in.” Whether capturing the mood of a quiet cove or the stark silhouette of a dock at sunrise, Brian’s paintings balance spontaneity with intentional design. In addition to painting, he has studied silversmithing at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and continues to maintain a jewelry bench on the Barter family property. Today, Brian lives in southern Maine with Colleen and their daughter, Honey. His work is held in private collections throughout Maine and beyond. Learn more about his creative philosophy and journey on Radio Maine., form and colors; exaggerating often to evoke emotion.I hope observers recognize scenes, shapes and objects in the paintings but leave room for their own interpretation and enjoyment.