Roberto's Artist Statement

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On a perfect day I paint outdoors: plein air, when the weather is nice. I scout my painting location and then go back to the studio and select the scenes that I would like to paint. When I decide on the perfect landscape I go back on location and set up my canvas, easel, and my paints. I also excel in portraiture.

My work brings 26 years as a painter. I use a technique of expressionism by making bold, colorful, figurative compositions where I call attention to broad themes in art history such as war, industry, religion, myth and the human condition set in contemporary times. The work is meant to be an expression of political and humanitarian empathy. With awkward composition I explore a bizarre logic in personal understanding of events. My concern is with translating the immediacy of gestural drawing from medium to substrate. The awkwardness is amplified by strong outlines and rough painting which intends to make collective human emotions real and living. Craftmanship in the application of materials is graphic but not meant to offend or glorify the actions of depictions of imminent mayhem, death or destruction, rather, the application of materials is meant to draw the observer in and face the appearance of truthful realities that in society might take the viewer beyond their comfort zone.

Most of the time I work at home in my studio. I develop compositions consistently . When I have an image in my mind I make a quick sketch or I write it down laying out a scene, much like a story board for a film.

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Best Regards,

Roberto J. Ramirez