Artist StatementI receivied my degree in Art from California State University in Fullerton, California. I worked in Aerospace for many years. I continued to paint as the job and family life permitted. Since I retired I am able to spend more time painting. I love the work of turn of the century California and Russian impressionist and realist and several of today’s landscape artists. I fell in love with the Iowa landscape. It has beautiful light, wide open skies and well tended farm fields that stretch from horizon to horizon. Since moving to Georgia I have begun to explore its landscape. The most notable difference fron Iowa is the heavier atmosphere and how that affects the landscape. I first do sketches to develop the composition and focus in on what is drawing me to that scene. I then do a small plein-air, or color study, on location to capture the light, color and atmospheric conditions – no way to get that with a photograph. On occasion I will return several times to the same scene to paint a number of color studies. Applying on-site experience, sketches, photographs and plein-air studies I will then do a larger painting back in the studio My current focus is to combine realistic elements with an abstract approach. I am drawn to the increaed ambiguity this creats in my work. I hope you enjoy the work! Michael W. Rose |