ABOUT THE WORK:
I create my oil paintings in plein air and in the studio. Working outdoors allows me to immerse myself in an environment to better engage my senses and to capture the nuances of the colors. On some occasions I use the plein air painting as a study for a larger studio piece. My studio work, on the other hand, allows for a more in depth investigation into my subject to select details that define it's character. What most informs the paintings are shapes that create a strong design and elements that comment on our contemporary existence. To characterize my paintings would be to call them events of the everyday. It is in these seemingly mundane moments that I look for a potential narrative that could be used to tell a story. To strengthen my intent, I use traditional painting techniques balanced with poetic interpretation. My affinity with light is paramount when creating my paintings to elevate the subject and form to this new filtered reality.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Beyond the environment, inspiration for my work comes from many sources such as music, media, and books. Being a self-taught artist, my education has consisted of reading about and studying the work of artists that I admire. My diverse artistic influences range from Richard Diebenkorn to Robert Bechtle. By far, the most influential has been Edward Hopper. My award-winning work has been included in juried exhibitions at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine, and at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, Maine, among others.In addition, I've taught several oil painting workshops and currently provide instructional painting videos on my YouTube channel, habowskistudio.