STEAMBOAT SPRINGS- If the measure of an artist is the depth and breadth of his collectors, then Steamboat Springs’ new guy in town, Brian Bonebrake, is a blue chip by all standards. Even better, his journey makes its own movie.

Bonebrake is in no way static. A Colorado native, his roots extend across two continents. Ever-changing in medium and style, his work itself represents a transformative collection of professional experiences and life lessons. Along with his many personal endeavors, Bonebrake skied the pro tour in Europe and coached the Dutch national freestyle ski team. He studied art at the Universite de Bella Arte in Perugia, Italy, and worked in a fascinating array of jobs.

Bonebrake’s personal work ethic – never turn down a job and never be late for a deadline – created a number of unusual opportunities: in Sweden, he worked for a roofing company restoring historic properties; in Munich, Germany, he took a laborer’s job prepping a large home for painting, which led to his employment as the “house muralist” and builder of their new wine cellar; in Berlin he was contracted to create commission paintings for a prominent architect. He even worked as a scientific illustrator for a well-known historic ship restoration project. 

Bonebrake eventually returned to Chicago where he received his master’s degree at the Art Institute of Chicago, where his work was privately purchased by both faculty and board members, allowing him to pay off his education loan before he graduated.

Now the proud father of two beautiful teenage girls, Brian recently moved with his family to Steamboat, which he describes as “the perfect place to raise a family.” 

Each painting by Brian Bonebrake is unique and completely original. The lessons learned from his education and adventurous life enrich them all.