Brian C. Zickafoose – Artist Statement
I create, therefore I am.
My artistic endeavors serve as the visual culmination of a lifelong pursuit for a more inclusive truth, as well as expressions of beauty and goodness inherent in the cosmos. The act of creating art, in my view, is an essential endeavor that embraces both humanity and spirituality. By crafting aesthetically pleasing works for personal fulfillment, I contribute to a greater collective appreciation.
My artistic approach seamlessly blends elements of nature with geometric patterns and symmetry, illuminating the inherent beauty of life in its myriad forms. These creations are conceived as instruments for expanding consciousness, unlocking portals to the boundless possibilities of existence.
Functioning as a catalyst for personal growth, spiritual expansion, and societal transformation, my art aims to inspire introspection and a heightened awareness of the impact of our actions on others and the Earth. Nature and spirituality thread through the glorious tapestry of my life, a tradition I strive to weave into my artistic expression.
To me, the act of creation is sacred, and painting is a devotional practice akin to prayer. Art, for me, is a form of religion, an expression fueled by love.
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Brian Zickafoose – Full Bio
Brian C. Zickafoose is an American illustrator, muralist, visionary artist, multi-instrumentalist, and activist based in New York’s Hudson Valley. He is recognized for his vibrant artworks that blend elements of nature and spirituality, as well as his active involvement in cannabis advocacy.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1976 in Summersville, West Virginia, Zickafoose was raised on a farm in Danese. During his childhood, he was a member of the Worldwide Church of God. Following the death of the church’s founder, Herbert W. Armstrong, in 1986, he became disillusioned with organized religion and turned to art as a means of personal and spiritual expression.
At the age of seven, Zickafoose won a coloring contest, which granted him the opportunity to perform as a clown in the circus. This pivotal experience instilled in him the belief that art could open unimaginable doors, profoundly influencing his creative path.
He began playing guitar at 12 and later pursued music studies at Pasadena City College (PCC) in Los Angeles, where he studied orchestral conducting under Donald Brinegar and jazz music under Bobby Bradford and Riner Scivally. During this time, he also received formal art education under printmaker Michael Barnes and was mentored by artist David E. Weaver in the oil painting tradition of the Flemish masters.
While performing Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna at Pasadena City College, Zickafoose experienced a profound out-of-body experience, leading him to believe that music and art originate from a higher source.
In the summer of 2015, Zickafoose attended a week-long painting intensive at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) in Wappingers Falls, New York, studying under renowned visionary artists Alex Grey and Allyson Grey. This experience marked the beginning of over a decade of mentorship under the Greys, significantly influencing his artistic style by blending traditional techniques with contemporary visionary art.
Career
Media and Journalism
In 2002, Zickafoose hosted a cable access show titled Jive Clam Presents Raunchola, a sketch comedy program featuring skits and live music performances. Although the pilot episode did not air due to its controversial content, it led to the creation of the webzine ThinkDank.com, which showcased video clips of band interviews and performances before the advent of platforms like YouTube.
From 2004 to 2009, he contributed as a freelance entertainment writer for High Times magazine, focusing on music festivals and reviews. During this period, he also founded and published Superseed Magazine, a pocket-sized eco-zine that highlighted music festivals, bands, and festival vendors. Writing under the pen name “Rev. Zickafunk,” he contributed to several notable publications, including CelebStoner, Homegrown Music Network, Bootleg Magazine (Wilmington, NC), and Jambands.com.
Artistic Work
Zickafoose is celebrated for his bold, immersive style, particularly evident in his “Psychedelic Country” series, which explores the intersection of psychedelic art and Appalachian culture. His mural work includes pieces like The Gift and Buddhist-inspired artworks for Bangkok Station Thai Restaurant. He has also created poster designs for events such as Mountain Music Festival, the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, and jam band Eggy’s Las Vegas afterparties.
Throughout his career, Zickafoose has collaborated with a diverse array of musical artists, including Parliament Funkadelic, 311, the Kottonmouth Kings, Freekbass, Clutch, and De La Soul.
His painting Funk Generations was featured in Beverly Hills Cop 4.
Cannabis Advocacy
After relocating to California in 1995, Zickafoose became an active member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). During this time, he first met author Jack Herer at Captain Ed’s Head Shop in Van Nuys while canvassing for signatures for Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. His involvement with NORML led to the creation of several cannabis-themed event posters, an illustrated advertisement in Relix magazine, the logo for Willie Nelson’s Golf Benefit in Texas, and the design of NORML’s softball team jerseys for the “One Hitters.” In 2002, Zickafoose was a media correspondent at the High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam. In 2004 and 2005, he was the official artist for the Boston Freedom Rally in Boston, Massachusetts.
Music
Beyond his visual artistry, Zickafoose is a multi-instrumentalist focusing on guitar and vocals. He plays guitar for the punk rock band Bloody Apostles, which traces its origins back to 1989. The band reunited and, on March 31, 2023, released its self-titled debut EP on 7-inch vinyl through Hell’s Headbangers Records. The EP features six tracks for a total of nine minutes of brutal rock fury, collectively delivering a potent dose of old-school punk ethos.
Community Engagement and Education
As an educator, Zickafoose imparts his knowledge through painting and art business classes, inspiring others to pursue their creative passions. He co-founded Art Day in the Village, enriching his community with transformative art initiatives. His contributions have been recognized with several awards, including multiple American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) and the Wappinger Proud Community Award in 2024.
Personal Life
Zickafoose is a father to two daughters. He shares a familial connection with big band saxophonist Bill Zickafoose, and Lieutenant Samuel Rider, one of the early Plymouth Colony settlers.
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Selected Art Exhibitions
2025 – Mysteries in the Melt, Patterson, NY – Group Exhibition
2021 – Atlantic Antic, Brooklyn, NY – Solo Exhibition
2018 – Present – Mountain Music Festival, New River Gorge, WV – Official Festival Artist
2019 – Hudson Valley Vegfest, Kingston, NY – Group Exhibition
2019 – Gallery Fifty5, Kingston, NY: Psychedelic Country – Solo Exhibition
2018 – Art Emporium, Charleston, WV: Psychedelic Country – Solo Exhibition
2018 – 10th Annual Tamarack: Best of West Virginia Open Juried Exhibition
2016 – ArtWalk, Charleston, WV – Deacon & Deacon Insurance – Live Painting/Solo Exhibition
2016 – The Grove, Fayetteville, WV – Solo Exhibition
2005 – 2014 – Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, Roanoke, VA – Official Artist / Chair Art Director
2014 – Ripple, Roanoke, VA – Solo Exhibition
2013 – 2014 – Fayetteville Arts Coalition, Fayetteville, WV – Resident Artist
2012 – 2014 – One Block East Gallery, Roanoke, VA – Resident Artist
2010 – 2012 – Art Beyond Center at Center in the Square, Roanoke, VA – Resident Artist
2011 – 2012 – MystiCon, Roanoke, VA – Guest Artist / Panelist
2010 – Lupercalia, Roanoke, VA – Duo Exhibition with Danny Phillips
2008 – 2009 – Gang of Lost Souls, Roanoke, VA – Group Exhibition
2004 – 2005 – Boston Freedom Rally, Boston, MA – Official Artist
Awards
2024 – Wappinger Proud Community Award
2024 – Arts Mid-Hudson – Arts & Culture Project Grant Recipient
2017 – Professional Development Grant Recipient – West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment of the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts
2015 – American Advertising Award, Gold Local – Illustration
2015 – American Advertising Award, Silver Regional – Illustration
2013 – American Advertising Award, Silver Local – Illustration
2010 – American Advertising Award, Gold Local – Advertising for the Arts
2010 – American Advertising Award, Silver Regional – Advertising for the Arts
2008 – Best Local Artist – CITY Magazine, Roanoke, VA
2008 – Best Kept Art Secret – CITY Magazine, Roanoke, VA
2005 – Neighbor of the Year – Old Southwest Inc., Roanoke, VA – For Excellence in Illustration
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