In a recent episode of Inside the Frame Podcast, we had the opportunity to sit down with painter Robert Brodesky, whose figurative works currently fill the walls at Frame Center with texture, depth, and raw emotion. The episode offered a candid glimpse into Robert’s creative process, personal journey, and the layers, both literal and symbolic, that shape his paintings.
A Painter’s Path
Originally from Long Island, New York, Brodesky’s love for art was fostered by his parents, who enrolled him in Saturday classes at the Brooklyn Museum when he was just 15. Despite never pursuing a formal art degree, Brodesky’s passion never waned. Instead, he navigated his creative path through personal mentorships and self-discovery. One such pivotal influence was Steve Gilbert, an instructor at the Maryland Institute College of Art, who encouraged Brodesky to embrace large-scale canvases and work boldly. “He opened up some avenues,” Robert said. “He saw something in me.”
Finding the Figure
Although Brodesky experimented with abstract painting, particularly during a period in Denver where corporate buyers sought modern aesthetics, he ultimately found his voice through figuration. His subjects are not modeled on real people, but rather emerge from his imagination. “I like to get to a point where the canvas starts to talk to me,” he shared. “That’s when I know I’m on the right track.”
Faces dominate his canvases: solitary, paired, or sometimes in trios. They hold a heavy presence, often rendered in dark tones and built up with thick layers of paint. “Years ago, I would finish a painting in three days,” he said. “Now, it takes me much longer. I’m always pushing to do better.”
The Weight of Color and Texture
One striking feature of Brodesky’s work is his embrace of black. Once reluctant to even own a black tube of paint, he’s since become captivated by its potential. “Some people criticize my use of black,” he admitted. “But I like it. It makes a statement.”
His textured canvases reflect a cycle of creation and destruction: paint is applied, wiped away, rebuilt, and sometimes obliterated again. This method echoes his city planning background, where every change affects the whole system. “Painting is problem-solving,” he noted. “You make one change, and everything shifts.”
Art as Reflection
The figures in Brodesky’s paintings feel layered in meaning, too. Though not based on real individuals, they evoke complex emotions and relationships. “People often ask who they are. I don’t really know,” he laughed. “But I do know they speak to something universal.”
That desire to understand and be understood also plays out in how Brodesky engages with viewers. He described watching visitors at openings, noting who lingers on his work and who passes by. At his Frame Center reception, however, people didn’t just look—they studied. “There’s something powerful about seeing a full body of work,” he reflected.
Looking Ahead
Despite self-professed challenges with social media, Brodesky remains focused on the act of painting. “I may not be great at marketing,” he joked, “but I just want to keep making better work.”
For Brodesky, art remains both a personal practice and a way to engage with the world. His honesty, humility, and commitment to craft are deeply present in every canvas he creates. Stop by Frame Center to witness this impactful collection in person, and keep an eye out for more from this thoughtful, talented painter.
Follow Robert on Instagram to stay connected with his evolving journey.
