Brad K. Lakin
Biography
The artist is a retired United States Combat Marine. Prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps, he studied Art at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and trained with art teachers and mentors Peter Hill and Sidney "Buzz" Buchanan. He studied Fine Arts and Art History from 1976 to 1980.
After college, he set aside his passion for painting to serve 20 years with the Marines. And his service did not stop there. He then chose a career in education, obtaining a Master's Degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Phoenix, and went on to teach Marketing, Financial Planning, and Management at the college level for the next ten years.
Since retiring, he has completed over 60 paintings on canvas. In just the past few years, his work has been recognized both nationally and internationally.
In 2025, his painting won "Juror's Choice"/Best in Show with the CEV Art Gallery in Arizona. In 2025, the Effetto Arte Foundation of Italy also awarded him two international prizes. In addition, the Contemporary Art Station in Madrid awarded him Persona Art Honors.
Currently, he resides in New Mexico and enjoys contemporary hard-edge painting. The depth and feeling in his painting are a reflection of a brave and selfless heart, molded by his 20 years of military service and sacrifice.
Artist Statement
I paint to inspire, never to impress. I paint images that no one has ever seen.
In my art, I seek to create a visual language that balances structure with spontaneity. I want collectors walking away from my paintings asking themselves, "What was he thinking?" I also paint to honor my mentors from college: Peter Hill and Sidney "Buzz" Buchanan. Drawing inspiration from the energy of modern abstraction, I use bold geometric shapes and striking color palettes to construct compositions that are both playful and sophisticated.
My process is rooted in curiosity, layering forms, experimenting with texture, and allowing unexpected interactions to emerge on the canvas. Color is central to my practice. I use it not only to evoke emotion, but also to guide the viewer's eye and create a sense of depth and movement. The interplay between crisp lines and organic splatters reflects my fascination with the tension between order and chaos, inviting the viewer to pause, interpret, and engage with each piece on their own terms.
Ultimately, my goal is to spark curiosity and joy. I want my work to be a space for exploration, a place where viewers can find new perspectives, embrace ambiguity, and experience the uplifting power of color and form.
LIGHTNING ON THE PYRAMID, 2026, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
PASSAGE TO SANTA FE, 2025, Latex on Canvas, 60 X 60 cm
MAXIMALIST, 2023, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
SERIES 7 # 1 UNTITLED, 2025, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
SERIES 6 # 4 UNTITLED, 2023, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
PETER & BUZZ IN THE HOUSE, 2025, Latex on Canvas, 60 X 60 cm
THE RED WINDOW LEAK, 2026, Latex on Canvas, 60 X 91 cm
RYTHM & ECSTACY, 2024, Latex on Canvas, 68 X 88 cm
BLUE ALIEN, 2023, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
INVERTED PYRAMID, 2025, Latex on Canvas, 91 X 91 cm
