Brian James McGovern was born in June 1955 in Southern California, and began to paint when he was three years old---as soon as he could hold a brush. "I remember working on my chalkboard one day," he recalled. "I made swirling patterns and got to the point where I could see into the chalkboard as if it were three dimensional."
As a youth he was very inquisitive---interested in the potential of the mind as well as religious studies. Noting that the mind constantly seeks metaphors, he said, "Art is intellectual as well as emotional." Many of his paintings depict beings experiencing powerful spiritual transformations.
He considered himself a Unitarian and was also a disciple of a spiritual teacher whom he considered to be enlightened. His disciplined meditation practice is possibly the source of much of his inspiration.
His close friend, guitarist Moro, observes, "He instantly saw the mystical in all things, almost to the exclusion of all else, wherever he gazed within or without. And he incorporated this insight into his painting as if by some magical power of his brush."
Brian moved to Sonoma County (Northern California) around 1975, where he established himself as one of the most talented visionary artists of his time. His mediums included oil, airbrush, sculpture, prose, poetry and sketches. But his favorite was acrylic on canvas.
He earned his living creating paintings, book illustrations, note cards and advertisements. He also taught art and was involved in cinema projects at Warner Bros. and MGM. He worked on many murals and participated in community projects.
Brian enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with family, and alternative creative projects that included writing an unpublished novel, humorous newsletters, and making objects such as fantasy musical instruments and various sculptures. He also spent time reading news and science, watching science and science fiction films, and listening to eclectic music.
He died in February 1995 at the age of 39, from severe injuries he received during a fire in his art studio in Sebastopol, California. At the time of his death, he was survived by his mother, father, sister, two children, fiancee and many friends. His life here, while short, was passionate and inspirational. He once said, "I believe positive images keep us turned toward the higher side of human nature. Art can give individual dignity and power that has been buried or obscured by technology."
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