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ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am a painter of landscapes, but not in a traditional sense. My art
primarily reflects the ongoing struggle to coexist between nature and
humankind. This is achieved through the development of my own
personal symbology, representing this ongoing saga and my perception
of it. This is my effort to create a sense of meaning from the world: order
from chaos and chaos from order. This is revealed through numerous
layers that build up over time, much like the layers that create our lives.
These layers are added and then removed. Thus, my theme of
opposition is represented in the artistic process itself- creation and
destruction.
Usually a landscape setting I have visited will be the initial inspiration for
an artwork, or possibly a whole series of pieces. Personal interactions
within the environment- a hike, trail run, park visit; lately it's been cycling
through country roads... or some other outing in nature- often serve as
my muse. The layering process I use when I paint is evolutionary; I
never quite know exactly where it will take me visually or conceptually.
The idea and the artwork grow, sometimes over several weeks
depending on the size I’m working on, as I create the image. As I paint,
more details emerge regarding the artwork’s meaning, thus finding me,
so to speak. This way of working creates an element of surprise, which I
find exciting.
Depicting the beauty of nature, even in a non-traditional way, reflects my
appreciation for what the natural world offers to us. Environmental
concerns for Earth affected by human interaction remain just below the
surface of each artwork I create.
I am a painter of landscapes, but not in a traditional sense. My art
primarily reflects the ongoing struggle to coexist between nature and
humankind. This is achieved through the development of my own
personal symbology, representing this ongoing saga and my perception
of it. This is my effort to create a sense of meaning from the world: order
from chaos and chaos from order. This is revealed through numerous
layers that build up over time, much like the layers that create our lives.
These layers are added and then removed. Thus, my theme of
opposition is represented in the artistic process itself- creation and
destruction.
Usually a landscape setting I have visited will be the initial inspiration for
an artwork, or possibly a whole series of pieces. Personal interactions
within the environment- a hike, trail run, park visit; lately it's been cycling
through country roads... or some other outing in nature- often serve as
my muse. The layering process I use when I paint is evolutionary; I
never quite know exactly where it will take me visually or conceptually.
The idea and the artwork grow, sometimes over several weeks
depending on the size I’m working on, as I create the image. As I paint,
more details emerge regarding the artwork’s meaning, thus finding me,
so to speak. This way of working creates an element of surprise, which I
find exciting.
Depicting the beauty of nature, even in a non-traditional way, reflects my
appreciation for what the natural world offers to us. Environmental
concerns for Earth affected by human interaction remain just below the
surface of each artwork I create.
| Robert M. Urban |