Steven Berk

17 years ago I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s. At that point in time, I was not painting or drawing on a regular basis. Since then I have used art to help me cope with the debilitating effects of my disease.

I am naming these series of paintings after the medications that have allowed me to express myself through painting and drawing.

I hope that in some small way these paintings will evoke the chaos and complexity of living with Parkinson’s.

My work is inspired by many groups of artists. Beginning with the early colorists, such as Andre Derain, after Derain I have become fond of the work of Gerhard Richter and Anselm Kiefer. Currently I am intrigued by the new work pioneered by David Hockney’s use of new technology. Most recently, I have looked to the strong abstract landscapes of Wolf Kahn.

Bachelor of Arts - History and Economics - Washington University St. Louis, 1981; Master of Science - International Relations, 1982; Juris Doctor - Boston College, 1985

I am not formerly educated in art. Over the past 30 years I have taken various workshops focusing on painting/drawing in and around the Washington DC area.