Brent Estabrook (b. 1985) is an American artist known for his large-scale oil paintings of stuffed animals. Born in Arizona and raised in Seattle, WA, he holds a Bachelor of Studio Arts from the University of Arizona and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DMD) from the University of Louisville. With a playful yet meticulous approach, Estabrook combines surgical precision with a childlike sense of joy, creating textured and vibrant compositions. His artistic journey began by turning frustration over student debt into paintings of enlarged currencies, leading to a career breakthrough. Through a series of colorful skulls, he developed his distinctive style, exploring brushwork and color palette. The series “Perpetual Recess,” initiated in 2015, firmly established him in the art world. Since then, Estabrook has exhibited in notable art fairs across the United States and was recently featured in the Long Beach Museum of Art’s exhibition “Creature Comforts” in 2022. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Estabrook continues to captivate audiences with his evocative artwork.
Artist Statement
Estabrook’s artistic journey is marked by a delightful playfulness intertwined with a meticulous approach to painting. In each artwork, Estabrook merges the precision honed from his dental education with a childlike sense of joy and curiosity. Through the application of thick, richly pigmented brushstrokes, Estabrook creates textured surfaces that evoke the tactile qualities of terrycloth, velvet, and plush fabrics.
The inspiration for his artistic odyssey arose during his time in dental school, where he found solace in creating paintings of enlarged currencies as a response to mounting student debt. This pivotal experience led him to recognize the potential of pursuing an artistic career. As his exploration continued, Estabrook ventured into a series of colorful skulls, allowing him to freely experiment with color and technique, eventually developing his distinctive brushwork and color palette.
Central to Estabrook’s artistic process is a mindful presence. He firmly believes that “it is not what you paint, but how you paint.” This philosophy emphasizes the significance of a practiced awareness that keeps him connected to every brush bristle and each mark on the canvas. Drawing inspiration from meditation techniques and the uninhibited exploration of children at play, Estabrook fully immerses himself in his artwork.
Estabrook remains driven to explore new subjects and content, continuously pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression. His goal is to captivate audiences with luminous and evocative compositions that seamlessly harmonize technical precision with the unbridled joy and curiosity exemplified in a child’s play.
Through his artwork, Estabrook invites viewers to embark on a journey where textures come alive, colors dance, and the act of painting becomes a transformative experience of connection and self-discovery.
