Bradford Athey

For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to three things: music, art, and building things. None of these interests ever stepped forward as the “one to rule them all,” so I have spent my adult life pursuing all three. 

While I am formally trained in music and 2D art, my main career has always been as an architect. It’s been over three decades since I was a student in the art studios and music practice rooms of UMKC, but after a ten+- year hiatus from art, in 2012 I decided to pick it up again. While in the past I worked with watercolor, oils, and pen, my recent efforts have primarily been in Prisma Color pencil. 

I thoroughly enjoy creating abstract and surreal images. Many of my pieces are inspired by music (both sonically and lyrically.) It’s been said that writers should “write what you know.” Similarly, I find it fascinating to “draw what I hear.”

I am energized and encouraged by seeing work by fellow artists in the ArtsKC program and am excited to see where the ongoing journey leads.