"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.
