I was born and raised in and around New York City. Following the navy I entered college and began my career as a student of Fine Art. This course of study took me to far away places and experiences. I studied at the University of Paris and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. There I studied the Masters at close hand learning and copying their styles in the museum by day and then selling them on the streets at night.
From France I went on to study at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen. I found this a wonderful experience in a winter fairyland. I studied painting and art history. From Copenhagen I moved back to New York and studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. This was an amazing experience just because of the faculty, who were all famous people from the art world and they demanded professionalism. Next, I was to gain my first of three master’s degrees from Montclair State. I was able to study with Peter Barnet, son of the famous painter Will Barnet of the “Ash Can School. Then it was on to Chicago to study at Northwestern University. I received my two M.F.A.’s in painting and printmaking while studying with Ed Paschke and George Cohen two of Chicago’s greatest painters. Ed was the leader of the “Imagists” movement of the 1980’s and George was the founding member of the famed “Monster Roster” of the 1950’s. I was also able to study with William Stipe, who studied under Grant Wood, as well as with Martin Levine, a master printmaker and member of the “Realist Group” in New York City.
At this same time, I was exhibiting my work in national and international pastel shows. I have performed lectures and workshops in the medium. My works have been published in the U.S. by Northlight Books and in England by Quatro Press.
Through my work I have explored the use of color and light. I work almost primarily in pastels because of the rich, vibrant colors and for the immediacy of the medium. I look at my subject matter with the eyes of the Impressionist and the Expressionist color palette. Or perhaps I view the world, as they say, through rose colored glasses, but my use of color is the both my impression and expression of the world around my. I love the high intensity of bright colors to interpret my emotional response to that world.
Among my lists of recent exhibitions are:
2007 Florence Bienniale
ART Now2, 2007-2008
Avisen-avk's International Art Contest 2008 -Spring Edition
Avisen-avk's International Art Contest 2007 -Winter Edition
