Richard Stephen Takes Us Back to the Basics

 

"It is a basic instinct to express ourselves.  As babies we start with a frown or a smile and as we grow older it gets more complicated.  I express my perception of the world through my art. I see the electricity that flows through that which surrounds us and I try to capture that in the subject matter, the color and construction of my painting. 

Having an insatiable curiosity throughout life has led me to be enthralled about everything from  the smallest bugs to the grandest trees, from the shape of a flower to the human form.  And it is the essence of all things I strive to see and interpret in my painting.  Color and form translate that which makes nature bold and quiet, stormy and serene, majestic and playful. 

I have painted most of my life and, while mostly self-taught, I have taken courses both at the Creative Arts Workshop and the Silvermine Art School. My major artistic influences are: Matisse, Vlaminck, Derain, Klimt, and Sargent. I paint in oils exclusively; on canvas, wood, and masonite.

- - Richard Stephen
 

Richard Stephen is taking us back to the basics. To our basic instincts. Our basic instincts to express ourselves, to be heard. And as he explains as we get older it gets more complicated, he is right in saying it. It is true plain language doesn't mean a thing. But to see something visual that touches the soul, enough is said and no words need to be spoken.

Richard takes us to that place. He brings us to a space that nothing needs to be said, nothing needs to be heard. His blending of different styles in one painting alone explains the multitude of words that can be said. He brings you from the clean, smooth graceful flow of the stroke of the brush to the structured, albeit square form "pixelism" that plays off each other causing our minds to see that differences do work together, collaboration with ease, without tension, blending working creating a piece that a statement has been made.
This is seen in "Bridge" below.

"Bridge" - oils - by Richard Stephen

He speaks of seeing "the electricity that flows through that which surrounds us". "Capturing it" or more so of harnessing the energy to flow through his brush. The energy masterfully brings the vibrancy of color to its height, the technique used again but instead of squares "pixelism" we see pointillism this time blending with the intricacy of the leaves against the abruptness of lines and starkness between colors drawing your eyes in, your mind clearly sees what was stated. Only you know what that statement is, for it might even be different from Richard's. This is seen in "Chestnut Trees" below.

"Chestnut Trees" - oils - by Richard Stephen

Using both color and form, he brings them together brilliantly. The colors often opposites and yet at the same time compliment each other. Thin strokes create the ends of each branch that the leaves cling to when in full bloom stretching and expanding to short, wider and deliberate strokes creating each branch spreading, getting larger as they approach the trunk, the tree's nurturing center. It stands proud reaching upward against the hues of the yellow sky where each paint stroke is smooth with flowing grace. One sees the colors blend, becoming one with the subject, creating the grandeur of Nature against the silken sky on canvas. This is seen in "Sycamore" below:

"Sycamore" - oils - by Richard Stephen

 

Oh, the mind's eye can do so much, can see so much, can speak words that cannot be spoken but yet we hear them making a statement, expression in the most basic form. Richard Stephen made a statement without speaking a word, all the while collaborating with color, with style, with technique harmoniously blending, communicating with each other. Now it is time for you to make yours.

Richard Stephen's works will be on display at Sobobo Gallery during the month of September. Join us on Thursday, September 19th for an Exhibit Reception starting at 6:30 pm. 

Come this September. . . .

What you will see at Sobobo come this September. . . .

Richard Stephen: "Color and form translate that which makes nature bold and quiet, stormy and serene, majestic and playful."

Simply AMAZING!
"Bridge" by Richard Stephen

Join Us Tomorrow Night - Thursday, August 15th

The days are bright and sunny -

Fall is in the air, it can be felt when a breeze stirs up.

The evenings are PERFECT for a stroll.

Let the moonlight guide you as you stroll

 

"Nocturnal Path" - oils - by Karen Macker

 

 

down The Avenue (Naugatuck) and

around the corner onto Broadway

at Walnut Beach on Thursday, tomorrow!

 

That's right just ONE MORE DAY! and

this joint (Walnut Beach) will be jumpin'!

The Walnut Beach Art Stroll begins at 6:30...

come for an evening of Art, Food, Dance and Music!

 

See you tomorrow night!

Rainy Days

"Walking in the Rain" - watercolors - by Betty Geller

Rainy day. . . .hmmm, no sun, no going to the beach; what can we do you ask?

Start your holiday shopping early. . . .miss the crowds and the stress! Come to the hub of Walnut Beach and check out the shoppes, galleries and restaurants!

You can find so much: art that can be used, art that can be worn, art you would like to just sit and look at, art that you can taste and savor, art that you can give to others. . . .

Visit us soon!

3rd Thursday Art Stroll - August 15th

3rd Thursday is approaching fast! Come join an evening walk from Firehouse Gallery down Naugatuck and around the corner onto Broadway.

Before you begin the evening walk enjoy the cuisines of the area restaurants, Lazy Lobster, pizza at Alfa's, Costa Azzurra, Aldario's.  A perfect time to go over your gift list as the Seasons of Giving have begun. Walnut Beach Merchants has those unique and yet sublime gifts for your friends, co-workers, family members ranging from original works of art, jewelry, gift certificates, art and music lessons and more!

And then begin a journey that will bring to you a world of art, music, dance and more food and drink.
Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Avenue,

81 Naugatuck Avenue

while not having an opening reception they still might be open for a bit so check it out; head down to

42 Naugatuck Avenue

Sobobo to meet and greet friends and August's Artist - Stephen DiRienzo. Continue to Seaside Wines and Spirits to pick up that bottle of your favorite wine;

2 Broadway

head to Beach Gallery where you will find your way! Beach Gallery featuring old maps of Myrtle-Walnut Beaches showing what we were like before, Scoot & Paddle with utilitarian art.

28 Naugatuck Avenue

16 Broadway

Head down to Wild Expressions and see Liza Sivek from B. Enchanted Crafts who will be demonstrating her amazing art of paper crafting and of course wine and hors d'oerves will be served as well.

19 Broadway

Head across the street to Walnut Beach Creamery and Taste & See Confections and see what you can get to satisfy those sweet cravings.

17 Broadway

To end this evening a Salsa Party will be taking place at the park on the corner of Naugatuck and East Broadway....a wonderful way to end a perfect evening! Join Brian Smith, DJ, as he spins the vinyls for us!

All of this begins at 6:30 pm with the Salsa Party beginning at 8:00 pm. It will be a pleasure to see you!

Stephen DiRienzo : "Free-Flowing Form" Creating Realism with Precision

"I have been drawing and painting for the better part of my entire existence. What began purely as an interest very early on, quickly developed into a passion and eventually a career—art became my life’s pursuit!
 

Twenty-four years after landing myself in my chosen field, I have touched nearly every facet of the art industry, honing my skills both as an illustrator and an oil painter, I have always focused on a range of diverse subjects in my work, covering everything from landscapes, to portraits, to still-life compositions, exploring form, color and contrast, resulting in vibrant, visually striking works of art.
 

My process begins with an idea or an inspiration triggered by an interesting visual, a conversation or an idea plucked from my own imagination. My ever-expanding list of subject matter is endless and in some cases certain ones simply have to make it onto the canvas, while others never do. It is a selection process which tends to play out on it’s own.
 

As for the actual mechanics of my work, my training as an illustrator has instilled in me a degree of precision and realism that is never completely attainable but always improving. With this in mind I paint and sketch in a relatively free-flowing form until the desired results are achieved.
 

As a teacher, I have discovered a new sense of accomplishment in sharing some of my techniques and disciplines with students of all ages through various Workshops and Art Enrichment Programs.
 

In the end, it’s always been first and foremost about the art for me. Going forward, my goal is to further explore the world through my paintings and my illustrations. I hope to convey moods, feelings, and expressions that people can connect with, relate to, and ultimately appreciate."
 

--Stephen DiRienzo

 

Stephen DiRienzo, a realist, enlivens one's senses with his works. Each stroke of paint caressing, forming, shaping the subject of each piece created. The energies of the human senses are entwined.
 

Sight begins the mind to imagine the flavors, the smells, the feelings, and listening.
 

Sense of Touch the first as you view each piece. One needs to touch, to try to pick-up the piece of bread and dip it Au jus to enliven one's sense of taste.

 

"Bread & Potatoes" - oils - by Stephen DiRienzo

Sense of Taste brings flavor, swirling around titillating one's taste buds creating the sumptuous, delectable tastings as it gravitates to one's sense of smell.

 

Sense of Smell enhances one's sense of taste by adding that aroma creating a heady feeling. Feeling it on your tongue, in your mouth the aroma permeates up through your nasal passages, all connected, all becomes a union making one's salivary glands to want more.
 

Sense of Hearing: Following the union of the senses of touch, taste and smell hearing the popping of the cork of a bottle of wine, listening as the wine is poured into a chilled glass,

 

 "One Good Pour Deserves Another" - oils - by Stephen DiRienzo

 

you are connected again wanting to drink to experience all of the senses again satisfying one's thirst and a palate cleansing for the next delectable, sumptuous bite.

 

Stephen's "free-flowing form" is an oxymoron in a sense as he creates realism with precision whether with oils on canvas or graphite on paper. Perhaps he is correct in what he states for every thing does begin in free-flowing form, whether it be fruits growing for wines and desserts or the making of bread with all ingredients free-flowing and when combined making a precise, real creation : a freshly baked loaf of bread coming hot out of the oven, the aroma of baked bread, the aroma of a freshly opened bottle of wine, the senses swirl creating a euphoria. . . .Heaven!
 

His landscapes bring you there as the paint is formed and shaped creating the bark of the tree to be rough and ragged that you can touch the trees; the caressing of each stroke laying the snow on the ground so invigorating that you can feel the cold of the winter; the precise, deliberate lines creating grass that you can hear the grass bend and "crunch" beneath your feet while his portraits create an air of soft skin to caress, of piercing eyes that follow you as you pass and hearing the music emanate from musical instruments. Realism with precision and yet free-flowing form attracting you, peaking curiosity wanting more.
 

To experience Stephen's ability to entice you, allowing all of your senses to become alive at once join us on Thursday, August 15th (3rd Thursday Art Stroll) for an Exhibit Reception.

Visit Sobobo. Stephen's works will be on exhibit during the month of August until August 31st.