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.

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.

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.