Brigham Larington: Capturing life's unconventional beauty through photography, painting

Brigham Larington stands next to one of his pieces on display at the Art Bank in McCook

Chad Graff/Art Bank

McCOOK, Neb. - With an eye for the unconventional and a spirit driven by creativity, local artist Brigham Larington has entered the art scene. Through his photography and paintings, he captures moments of life’s raw beauty.

Larington began his artistic journey nearly eight years ago during high school, when he delved into photography. In the past year, he has explored painting more seriously, seeking to express himself in new ways.

He and his wife, Elise, are both McCook High School and McCook Community College graduates. They dated in high school and tied the knot in Las Vegas in August. It was on that ten-day trip to Las Vegas that he took some of the pictures included in the show. 

After college, the couple initially moved to Oregon and Lincoln but returned to McCook to make it their home.

“It just doesn’t feel like any other town this size, I just think it’s a really unique place,”  Larington said. 

One of Larington’s favorite places to frequent in McCook is the local skate park, which he helped champion as a committee member. His connection to skateboarding transcends mere hobby; it inspired him to delve into painting, starting with the designs on skateboards. His creations, part of a series of 10, are available for sale on carmenskateboards.com, each design a testament to his passion for blending art with life.

When asked about his creative process, Larington shared his approach to painting, citing a desire to challenge himself and draw inspiration from his surroundings. He values creating without fear of failure, allowing his intuition to guide each brushstroke and color choice.

Larington’s work often gravitates to places with interesting characters and stories. From a punk rock enthusiast’s laundry room turned concert venue known as “The Swamp” to the eclectic streets of Las Vegas, his photography captures the essence of these unconventional spaces, inviting viewers to see beyond the ordinary.

In his own words, Larington emphasized the importance of creating art that resonates with him personally rather than seeking external validation. While he welcomes honest critiques and feedback, his primary focus remains to stay true to his artistic vision and tuning into his unique creative frequency.

Larington expressed the need for art spaces like the Art Bank,  “Your art isn’t fully cooked until you have an audience look at it. They make it into something even more beautiful. It’s part  of the process.”

The young artist likened the ArtBank to other places he enjoys; he shared that in high school, one of his favorite things to do was to go to the McCook Library. He said that while nothing exciting was happening, sitting in a public space where everyone was just doing their own thing felt good. “I guess that’s what I liked about it; it’s what I like about the skate park, and it’s what I like about art spaces,” Larrington said. When asked what he thinks it would have been like to have the ArtBank open when he was still in school, he said, “I think I would have benefited from it  a lot.”

As Brigham Larington continues exploring the intersections of art, life, and community, his work is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the beauty of life’s unexpected corners.

Larington’s work is displayed at the Art Bank, 108 W D Street in McCook.

The ArtBank is open Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-5 p.m.