For Brian Astle, painting is a way to move through life with purpose. What began as a casual college major became a lifelong pursuit of beauty and meaning. Art has helped him process challenges, stay grounded, and connect with others. His goal is to inspire and to share the joy that painting has brought into his own life.Astle works primarily in still life, drawn to its control over lighting, composition, and mood. His realist style is shaped by expressive mark-making and a strong interest in surface quality. Using tools like scrapers, squeegees, and trowels, he builds each piece with variety and movement. At the heart of his work is a memory of thickly painted murals at a local library—paintings he could feel as much as see. He now strives to create that same sense of presence and lasting impression in every piece.