About the Artist

LANDSCAPES | OTHERS | FLORALS/STILLIFE | EXHIBITS | ANIMALS & BIRDS | Background

 
 
MY BACKGOUND

I am a self taught Fairfax, Virginia artist originally from Silver Spring, Md.  I received some of my art training from Montgomery College. I produce original works of art using my photographs for landscapes and still life.  I have been pursing the arts since leaving college.

My inspiration comes from scenes in and around Virginia and locations from other parts of the world.  My passion for landscapes remains fresh and exciting when I can travel and paint on location.  Presently most of my paintings are done in my home studio and occassionaly plein-air.  When photographing a particular scene I try to capture the feeling of a location with light and shadow.  Although I classify myself as a photo realist most of my paintings are more representational of a photograph.  I feel that having a firm background in drawing helps me to prepare a landscape that is both realistic and inviting.  I particularly like to challange myself with composition and perspective.  Many people who see my work comment that they feel as though they could walk right into my painting.  My goal is to maintain that kind of emotional response.  I try to keep a sense of mystery and intrigue in my work.  If I am painting a scene from a warm summers day I try to create a sense of warmth that relates to that scene.

 

 In my earlier days our family lived in Tokyo, Japan for four years.  I was introduced to two amazing sensei who taught me composition and color harmony. I also took classes in watercolor and sumi-e. My love of oil painting far exceeded my desire to paint with anything else.  I continued painting landscapes, animals, people and some still life holding my first art show at the Tokyo American Club in the Genkin Gallery.  This inspired me to keep painting.

 

On our return trip home to Virginia in 1998 I joined  a variety of art guilds and in 2

006 I was asked to show my work at Oakton Art and Frame and later at Applegate Gallery in Vienna.  My previous studio was in the Lorton Workhouse for the Arts where I was juried in.  In 2009 I was featured in "American Art Collector" and I began a series of Italian landscapes that were displayed and sold in my Lorton studio and main gallery.  One of my paintings "Portofino, Italy" was chosen by the Lorton Workhouse as cover art.  I had a three year studio contract with Lorton that expired in October 2011.  Presently I work from my in-home studio where I can create much larger pieces of work.  Most of my inspiration comes from classes taken with Lisa Semerad and Diane Tesler at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria Va.   As an artist you never stop learning or creating and I love to do both.   

I am a member of the Arts Council of Fairfax, Loudoun Sketch Club, Reston Art League, and Springfield Art Guild.  I have worked privately with clients, producing landscapes from their photo's and  had my work featured in the "Centreville for the Arts" calendar (July and November) 2005.   Other paintings have been sold through Oakton Art and Framing and Applegate Gallery in Vienna, Va. 

I classify myself as a photo realism artist.  After taking a photo of a particular landscape I make sketches that serve as my starting point, then simplify and exaggerate, interpret and suggest, until I'm satisfied with my impression of a scene.  I love to paint landscapes and try to show my passion for them by using various shades of color that keep the eye moving. 


I hope you have enjoyed my paintings as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with you.  
 Appointments are encouraged and commissions are welcome.  

703 216-2470 or robin.rosner@gmail.com