Artist StatementI receivied my degree in Art from California State University in Fullerton, California. I soon took my creative talents into Aerospace Marketing and for many years painted off and on as the job and family permitted. I have since retired and am able to paint full time. Boy have I learned a lot in the last few years. I love the work of turn of the century California and Russian impressionist and realist and several of today’s landscape artists. There are so many really talented artist to enjoy and be influenced by. I love the work of Scott Christensen, Clyde Aspevig, Kevin Macpherson and Jesse Powell and others. I lived in California most of my life and when I found time to paint I did more of a fantasy theme. I moved to Iowa 12 years ago and that was quite a change. Nature is so much more a factor in Iowa. There is a rhythm to life that follows the seasons. The sky is alive - clouds, birds, sun and wind paint a different skyscape almost everyday. Nature really puts on a show! This drew me to begin painting the Iowa landscape. To try and capture the sense of light, wide open skies and well tended farm fields that stretch across the entire horizon. To try and communicate the sense of nostalgia and unassuming beauty that is fast disappearing elsewhere in the country. While my style is realistic, I try to keep the presence of the artist and the energy of the brush strokes in the painting. When I find a scene that captures my attention I will first do sketches to develop the composition and to focus in on what is drawing me to that scene. I then do a small plein-air, or color study, on location to accurately capture the light 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 before I get the information I need. Then by applying the on-site experience, sketches, photographs and plein-air studies I will do a larger painting back in the studio – and that’s when the fun really starts. I hope you enjoy the work! Michael W. Rose |