Emerging Artist Series, Pt 12: Brian Thomas Kinder

Gallery500 is proud to feature Brian Thomas Kinder in Part 12 of our Emerging Artist Series, a spotlight on rising voices in contemporary art. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Brian’s journey as an artist began as a child. He always felt he was called to art. With a background in graphic arts from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, his creative path has moved from representation to intuition, from the seen to the felt.

When asked about his earliest pull toward art, Brian shares that he always had to create. Art wasn’t a choice—it was a calling. His earliest memories include drawing. His mother nurtured this skill, introducing Brian to a portrait artist at the age of seven where he first began his journey with oil painting.  He says he feels “at home” when painting.

Brian describes each painting as an "archaeological dig"—a metaphor that perfectly captures the excavation of memory, experience, and discovery present in his work. His process begins with a blank canvas - a space for exploration. Marks and colors lead the way, revealing buried fragments of story and self. “I let the piece evolve. I follow where it wants to go.”

The result? Abstract compositions that feel both deeply personal and open to interpretation. His newest body of work, Close to Home, on display at Gallery500, leans into this duality. Each piece is a memory or fragmented memory in the artist’s mind. He invites the viewer to connect to the work and experience their own

memories. He hopes everyone gains a new introspective in viewing his work. He hopes they “have a new experience that they can take with them.”

Brian admits knowing when a piece is finished can be elusive. He may return to a piece on several occasions and let the work speak to him. He has stopped and restarted a work when it just was not working. He even has flipped the piece around, allowing a completely new image reveal itself. When the work stops “calling to him,” he knows it is complete.

Inspiration for Brian comes from everywhere—life experience, emotion, architecture, music. In the studio, he often paints to music, jazz to be specific. Or he will set up his canvas outside and let nature be his inspiration. Art is truly a way of life for the artist.

Artists who have inspired him include Willem De Kooning, Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat—creators who blur the line between control and chaos, intuition and structure. Although he is inspired by these artists and others, he is set in his individuality. He knows who he is as an artist and is empowered to create his own iconic style.

What does Brian hope viewers gain from experiencing his work?

I want them to have an experience that is real and personal…and remember it.

We’re honored to share Brian Thomas Kinder’s work and voice with our community. Stop by Gallery500 to experience the work and see what surfaces for you.

View Brian Thomas Kinder's collection available at Gallery500 here.

A special Thank You to Annie Scull for editing the interview.