Brian Ashing is a visual artist who works primarily in oils and his work which is grounded in classical realism, features portraits, still lifes and landscapes. Melding the sensibilities and aesthetic principles of the Dutch old masters, Caribbean figurative painters as well as the French impressionists Brian creates works with a stillness and strength that is utterly beguiling.
His work is held in both public and private collections within Trinidad & Tobago, Europe and the USA and he currently creates full-time from his home in Trinidad. I caught up with Brian recently to chat all things people, portraits and painting in paradise.
‘Ancient Winds’ by Brian Ashing. Oil on canvas 28” × 40 “ inches.
Being an artist is? Seeing my ideas come to life (creating solid shadows as I'd say) and having people experience them. I love knowing that at the end of the day, no matter what, I’m living a life where I’m doing what I love the most. It’s a blessing.
How does where you live inform how your work and the works that you create? Trinidad and Tobago is a tropical paradise teeming with creativity. The physical landscape is bursting with colours, textures and forms and I do believe that this somehow spills over into the people. We are warm, we love to dance and listen to music and we boast a very diverse society that shares in each other's cultures and religious ceremonies etc. I am lucky to observe a wide variety of faces and features on a daily basis and these make their way into my work. I also have friends of varying ethnicities and backgrounds that I use as the subjects in my paintings.
Dr Pozzi at Home, John Singer Sargent 1881 - The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
When, where and how did your fascination with portraits begin? As an artist I've always been drawn to faces and expressions as it is where so much emotional resonance is held/ conveyed. I can't pinpoint a moment but I do remember a time when after having painted a number of Trinidadian landscapes and wildlife, I pivoted from watercolours to oils. I was amazed by how much life was captured in the paint of the great masters: Sargent, Velasquez, Van Dyck and I wanted to be able to do the same. Essentially this also stems from my fascination with people and being open to seeing beauty in all our forms. When you paint portraits you can't help but study the faces of everyone that you meet. It can feel like a bit of an obsession.
What are your favourite three portraits of all time? What a difficult question! I can say three that come to mind: Dr Pozzi by Sargent, Juan de Pareja by Velazquez and Sheila by Boscoe Holder.
‘Paradise of Scorched Earth’ by Brian Ashing 30” x 30” inches ( Private Collection)
Mick Jagger has purchased work for you, how did that transpire? Through the Mustique Contemporary Caribbean Art Show & Award created by Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian and Ago Demirdjian. I was in the top three and had the honor of attending the ceremony. Mick was a shortlist judge and I suppose would have had his eye on the painting "Paradise of Scorched Earth" for some time. On the night of the ceremony the painting was auctioned live and so, I had the honour of seeing him win the bid in person. An unforgettable moment!
Is there a painting that you would never sell or have found hard to part with ? There's always one or two. Currently it's the sister piece to the one that Mick purchased above. I'd painted a smaller, experimental version called "Witness" that sees a tight headshot of the subject at a slightly different angle, with her features more obscured. I like having this physical connection and enjoy fantasising that the two paintings are linked on a quantum level.
Brian Ashing and Mick Jagger.
Can people commission work from you? Yes, I do a handful of portraits per year as ideally I like to give each one a lot of my attention. I can be contacted via email (brianashingart@gmail.com).
Julian Nanan by Brian Ashing.
Raquel Navarro and Brian Ashing.
What is a typical working day for you? If I'm painting I'm working from home so it's quite relaxing. Where we live is tucked in the hills just outside of the capital, Port of Spain and right outside my windows are towering trees and birds chirping all day long and my dogs also keep me company while I paint. This may sound idyllic, but as any painter will know it’s still hard work when the brush is in your hand. I paint during the day as I think it's easier on the eyes and mind so by 6pm my brushes are down. I also run an art gallery in Port of Spain (LOFTT Gallery) with my partner and that also takes up my some of my time.
‘Rainy Day in Central Trinidad’ by Brain Ashing.
Your work could be characterised as having a still quiet beauty and an introspective tone, would you agree? Yes absolutely I would say that I generally seek a sense of stillness and quiet in my work. This I think is achieved in my handling of light, my limited palette and simple yet seductively compelling compositions.
Do you have a favourite artist and or artistic period? No. I love the old, I love the new.
If you could ask any artist a single question, who and what would that be? I would ask Sargent to show me how he builds a face. I'd like to watch how he paints, how he achieves such vitality and control at the same time.
Do you think that portraits are currently having a moment..if so why do you think that is? I think there will always be an allure to painted portraits.. as long as good, honest work is being made. There's something to be said about being able to observe someone and not necessarily have them observe you in return. It's almost voyeuristic, looking at a well rendered portrait. I think as humans we have a fascination with identity and as the global identity evolves and once marginalised voices are brought into the mainstream the art of the time will reflect that.
Where are you happiest? At home with my partner after a successful day of painting.
‘Lady Armageddon’ by Brain Ashing 16” x 22” inches oil on linen.
‘Herat of Fire., Tongue of Embers’ by Brian Ashing 20” x 16” inches ( oil on linen)
Nick Cox / Period Portraits July 2025