Born in a small town in south-central Missouri, I grew up surrounded by the quiet, breathtaking beauty of the Ozark Mountains—a landscape that quietly shaped how I see rhythm, pattern, and place. Though I’ve lived in cities like Denver and Kansas City, and traveled widely across the United States and abroad, my heart remains rooted in small-town life and the deep sense of community that comes with it. That grounding quietly finds its way into my work, even when the subject is not literal.
I paint abstractly, drawing from the raw energy of Jackson Pollock, the thoughtful restraint of Robert Motherwell, the bold gestures of Willem de Kooning, and the quiet spiritual abstraction of Georgia O’Keeffe. Geometry, symbols, and layered shapes appear consistently in my work—not just for visual interest but to create a kind of visual rhythm, like music unfolding on canvas. My palette is deeply influenced by the colors and light of the desert Southwest, a nod both to my early experiences and to my mother, who painted Western themes as a novice painter.
Statement
Bret Neathery’s journey into painting began in 2018 during a trip to Los Angeles. While in town for a work conference, he visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and encountered Jackson Pollock’s No. 1 (1949) for the first time. Though familiar with Pollock’s work from books and photos, seeing it in person had a completely different effect. He stood in front of the piece, completely still—feeling it more than observing it. That moment became a turning point. It was the first time he truly understood the emotional power a painting could hold, and he left the museum knowing he wanted to create work that could move people in the same way.
Bret primarily paints abstract works using acrylic on canvas. His pieces are filled with shapes, symbols, and color—sometimes driven by emotion, but often led by instinct and the joy of creating. He doesn’t aim to explain every piece. Instead, he invites people to connect with the work in their own way. At the heart of his practice is a simple goal: to make art that feels alive and meaningful, and hopefully offers someone a moment to stop, feel, and experience something real.