Howard Behrens: Difference between revisions
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Behrens was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]] in 1933. He grew up near Washington,DC. <ref name=schwartz>{{cite book | last = Schwartz | first = Constance | title = Romance with the Sun | publisher = Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing | date = 1999 | pages = iii | isbn = 1-883269-23-7}}</ref> He began drawing at age seventeen after being confined to bed following a sledding accident. His formal education in art was at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]], where he earned a [[Master's Degree]] in [[painting]] and [[sculpture]]. Behrens paints with a palette knife. |
Behrens was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]] in 1933. He grew up near Washington,DC. <ref name=schwartz>{{cite book | last = Schwartz | first = Constance | title = Romance with the Sun | publisher = Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing | date = 1999 | pages = iii | isbn = 1-883269-23-7}}</ref> He began drawing at age seventeen after being confined to bed following a sledding accident. His formal education in art was at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]], where he earned a [[Master's Degree]] in [[painting]] and [[sculpture]]. Behrens paints with a palette knife. |
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"Many years ago, I learned that the only way I can really achieve what I feel in my paintings is to create them using a palette knife instead of a brush. I love the boldness of the knife, and the control I have of color. Using the knife, I find that I can capture not only the softness of clouds, but also the boldness of mountains, the vibrancy of flowers, and the strength of water. I move the knife furiously as I apply deep, rich color in many layers to achieve dimension and mood." <ref name=behrens>{{cite book | last = Behrens | first = Howard | title = Romance with the Sun | publisher = Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing | date = 1999 | pages = i | isbn = 1-883269-23-7}}</ref> |
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Even a casual observer who seeks to venture beyond the natural greatness of the scene and the power of that dull blade ((the palette knife)) as it shapes unwitting pigments of color into visual dreams, will recognize that Mr. Behrens' work speaks to the segment in each of us that wants a better, more beautiful world, as if by reproducing the outside in its perfect state, the artist can induce us to greater internal satisfaction. Howard Behrens is a romantic poet sculpting paint on canvas, and while he has spawned an entire cottage industry of emulators, few, if any, capture the emotional breadth of this man in love with love, life and the sun. <ref name=forbes/> |
Even a casual observer who seeks to venture beyond the natural greatness of the scene and the power of that dull blade ((the palette knife)) as it shapes unwitting pigments of color into visual dreams, will recognize that Mr. Behrens' work speaks to the segment in each of us that wants a better, more beautiful world, as if by reproducing the outside in its perfect state, the artist can induce us to greater internal satisfaction. Howard Behrens is a romantic poet sculpting paint on canvas, and while he has spawned an entire cottage industry of emulators, few, if any, capture the emotional breadth of this man in love with love, life and the sun. <ref name=forbes/> |
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At once an introspective and humble man and a skilled painter, Behrens has created a world of beauty in his work that combines a love of paint, a passion for travel, and a mastery of style and color. The evolution to today's rich, distinctive, texturized style came through experimentation. "I slowly started using the palette knife to paint on canvas," said Behrens. "It started out very fine and thin using very little paint. Then, it got thicker and thicker and heavier and heavier. Finally, the most amazing thing happened - the act of painting became the subject matter." Behrens also developed a method for creation that combined travel, sketching, fine art photography and painting. Creation of paintings that integrate what he calls "big, juicy chunks of paint." <ref name=keller/> |
At once an introspective and humble man and a skilled painter, Behrens has created a world of beauty in his work that combines a love of paint, a passion for travel, and a mastery of style and color. The evolution to today's rich, distinctive, texturized style came through experimentation. "I slowly started using the palette knife to paint on canvas," said Behrens. "It started out very fine and thin using very little paint. Then, it got thicker and thicker and heavier and heavier. Finally, the most amazing thing happened - the act of painting became the subject matter." Behrens also developed a method for creation that combined travel, sketching, fine art photography and painting. Creation of paintings that integrate what he calls "big, juicy chunks of paint." <ref name=keller/> |
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Following in the tradition of painters throughout the centuries, Behrens was lured by European cities, villages and hills in search of subject matter. |
Following in the tradition of painters throughout the centuries, Behrens was lured by European cities, villages and hills in search of subject matter. In Behrens' art, which explores the romantic vistas of the Western world, he presents us with a jolt of recognition orchestrated with a subtlety and drama that highlights the triumph of the human spirit as manifested in merging art and nature. The creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and integrating its inner qualifications, and thus adds his contribution to the creative act. Howard Behrens acknowledges that art is, after all, a mirror of life. It remains to be constantly explored, awaiting changes of mood and self in a never-ending growth of perception. <ref name=schwartz/> |
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Behrens resides in [[Potomac, Maryland]]. |
Behrens resides in [[Potomac, Maryland]]. |
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Revision as of 19:52, 28 September 2009
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Howard Behrens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1933 Chicago, IL |
| Nationality | U.S. |
| Occupation | Artist |
| Spouse | 1 |
| Children | 4 |
Howard Behrens (born 1933) is an American popular artist whose reproductions are frequently sold in art auctions and shows and appear in large volume in private homes as well as corporate collections throughout the world.
He's considered by critics and connoisseurs alike as "the one, the only, the master," and as a matter of fact, Howard Behrens, through his work, lives up to the appellation. [1]
Behrens was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1933. He grew up near Washington,DC. [2] He began drawing at age seventeen after being confined to bed following a sledding accident. His formal education in art was at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a Master's Degree in painting and sculpture. Behrens paints with a palette knife.
"Many years ago, I learned that the only way I can really achieve what I feel in my paintings is to create them using a palette knife instead of a brush. I love the boldness of the knife, and the control I have of color. Using the knife, I find that I can capture not only the softness of clouds, but also the boldness of mountains, the vibrancy of flowers, and the strength of water. I move the knife furiously as I apply deep, rich color in many layers to achieve dimension and mood." [3]
Even a casual observer who seeks to venture beyond the natural greatness of the scene and the power of that dull blade ((the palette knife)) as it shapes unwitting pigments of color into visual dreams, will recognize that Mr. Behrens' work speaks to the segment in each of us that wants a better, more beautiful world, as if by reproducing the outside in its perfect state, the artist can induce us to greater internal satisfaction. Howard Behrens is a romantic poet sculpting paint on canvas, and while he has spawned an entire cottage industry of emulators, few, if any, capture the emotional breadth of this man in love with love, life and the sun. [1]
His approach is experiential in terms of his involvement with the formal aspects of painting; brushwork, composition, and color. The artist's process creates a lush "skin" of paint using a combination of brush and most often a "spatula," a palette knife, in the spirit of the vigorous palette knife technique adopted by the master realist, Gustave Courbet. [2]
If ever there was a composer of color, it is Howard Behrens, a brilliant painter who has emerged among a sea of artists to become the preeminent modern master of the palette knife and an incomparable translator of color. [4]
The experts couldn't agree more. "Howard is the best colorist among a large group of post-Impressionist painters in the U.S. today," shared Harriet Rinehart, founder of Rinehart Fine Arts. "Although many people try to imitate him, they always come up second best," "There are many who have tried to imitate his style, but no one has come close," added Josh Miller of Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor and Avalon, New Jersey. "There are different people trying to do what he does, but they just don't pull it off," agreed Rick Moore of Rick Moore Fine Art in Naples, Florida." [4]
At once an introspective and humble man and a skilled painter, Behrens has created a world of beauty in his work that combines a love of paint, a passion for travel, and a mastery of style and color. The evolution to today's rich, distinctive, texturized style came through experimentation. "I slowly started using the palette knife to paint on canvas," said Behrens. "It started out very fine and thin using very little paint. Then, it got thicker and thicker and heavier and heavier. Finally, the most amazing thing happened - the act of painting became the subject matter." Behrens also developed a method for creation that combined travel, sketching, fine art photography and painting. Creation of paintings that integrate what he calls "big, juicy chunks of paint." [4]
Following in the tradition of painters throughout the centuries, Behrens was lured by European cities, villages and hills in search of subject matter. In Behrens' art, which explores the romantic vistas of the Western world, he presents us with a jolt of recognition orchestrated with a subtlety and drama that highlights the triumph of the human spirit as manifested in merging art and nature. The creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and integrating its inner qualifications, and thus adds his contribution to the creative act. Howard Behrens acknowledges that art is, after all, a mirror of life. It remains to be constantly explored, awaiting changes of mood and self in a never-ending growth of perception. [2]
Behrens resides in Potomac, Maryland.
References
- ^ a b Forbes, Victor (1999). Romance with the Sun. Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing. pp. ii. ISBN 1-883269-23-7.
- ^ a b c Schwartz, Constance (1999). Romance with the Sun. Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing. pp. iii. ISBN 1-883269-23-7.
- ^ Behrens, Howard (1999). Romance with the Sun. Media Arts Group/Lightpost Publishing. pp. i. ISBN 1-883269-23-7.
- ^ a b c Keller, Julie (2006). The Best of Behrens. B.I.G., LLC. p. 7. ISBN 0-9770695-0-8.
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