![]() ARTIST STATEMENT
I showed an interest in art at an early age while growing up in the Northeastern United states and was exposed to the work of Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth and Thomas Eakins. Realism became the primary interest for him in my work. "The world around me has provided an infinite variety of colors, forms and textures that I have used for the sources of my work for the past 30 years. I have always had a preference for drawing rather than painting in terms of control and the use of line and detail. Watercolor has provided me with a medium that produces a transition from drawing into a painting format. I believe in a traditional approach to the medium, using transparent colors and the white ground of the paper to produces luminous colors, and a pigment interaction that creates hues that give a lifelike quality to the painting." After earning a BFA degree in art education and an MFA degree in painting at the University of Delaware I experienced teaching at all levels from elementary school programs through college level. I also pursued an active studio and exhibition schedule throughout my teaching career and have been affiliated with a host of Fine Art galleries throughout the United States including The Leslie Levy Gallery in Scottsdale, Az., the ACA gallery in New York City and the Zenith Gallery in Washington, D.C.I also participate in juried evenst throughout the U.S. and Europe including the Delaware Art Museum Biennial, Butler Institute of Fine Art, Sennelier Excellence in Watercolor and the Biennial National Art Exhibit. My work consists of larger format studio pieces as well as direct painting in a "plein air" fashion. I currently reside full time in St. Petersburg, Florida with my wife Margaret, a painter as well. My work has been recognized with numerous awards throughout the United States and I traveled in Ireland, England and France conducting painting workshops and working on location. Honors include an award of a DSAC individual artists fellowship grant and the selection for The Watercolor Page in AMERICAN ARTIST magazine. Paintings are included in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. - john@bayalistudio.com |