Local Bartender’s Paintings In High Demand

Brian Jordan is something of an institution at the Beacon Room in Orleans. He’s been serving drinks and forming relationships with customers from behind the bar for over two decades, but many of them are unaware that the paintings on the walls are his. 

 About two years ago, Jordan decided to pick up painting in the offseason. At first, it was just a hobby. With no real prior art experience, he mostly taught himself. But given that he was surrounded by the work of other artists, like Holly Trevisan, on display at the Beacon Room, he had some inspiration.

 “Holly was a great mentor for me,” Jordan said. “She brought me a little package when I said I was going to start and answered all the questions I had.”

 Mostly working with oil on canvas, Jordan used vintage photographs and postcards to stimulate his painting. 

 “I like local scenes. I like architecture. I really like to paint buildings,” he said. 

 Sharing his newfound hobby with his coworkers led to strong urging to bring his paintings into work. 

 “Kate Roche, the owner, kept encouraging me to do it,” Jordan said. “I fought it for a long time. I just didn’t think anybody would be interested in it. She was pretty relentless, so I finally did it and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

 The first painting Jordan brought into the restaurant hung above the doorway in the main dining room. He had no expectations of selling it. In fact, he had placed it there as a means of having extra drying space. But to his surprise, the painting sold.

 “I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. From there, his art only grew. He replaced that painting with another, and kept bringing in more until he had enough to fill an entire room, which he achieved this past spring. 

His art has a distinctive style, featuring bright colors and linear buildings. That development of artistic identity has led some customers to wonder if the restaurant is partnered with a local art gallery to supply the paintings. 

 To that end, Jordan said, “I think I’m getting better at mildly self-promoting.” 

 Promotion or not, he’s sold a few paintings of various sizes every week. He hopes to further expand his art, but he believes it will happen organically.

 “I really enjoy painting,” he said. “I like the process of painting more than any other part of it. I think that will keep me going for a while.”

 The process fulfills him. In comparison to the noise and fast pace of bartending, painting is solitary and relaxing. 

 “It’s satisfying,” said Jordan. “It is about the end result, but when the end happens, I’m not emotionally attached. I like doing it, and once it’s done, I want to do another one.”

 In the offseason, Jordan likes to start two paintings on his days off. From there, he works quickly, seeking constructive criticism from his wife and sons until he’s ready to bring it into the restaurant. Despite his initial hesitance, the encouragement of his family and friends has pushed his painting forward. 

 “I think it was more outside influence than me,” Jordan said. “But I’m really glad I did this.”