"Crushed Tomato Cage" Painting

I am an extemporaneous artist whose work focuses on an impressionistic and nostalgic perspective of American Life. My paintings inhabit the space between reality and expression, where contemporary language meets elements of realism. I frequently work quickly and without a fixed procedure, allowing each piece to evolve organically; forms, techniques and color relationships shift as the work develops. Some paintings resolve into luminous impressions, others become more carefully articulated. Through continual manipulation of shape and texture I cultivate a distinct, personal visual vocabulary—a signature approach that is both intimate and universally resonant.

I was educated in Graphic Design being taught the Armin Hoffman "Swiss Style" program of visual expression learning the relationships of point, line, and shape. That discipline became the structure of self evaluation. I had to learn what I wanted to paint and how to paint to be true to my unique capabilities. I am an extemporaneous painter with painting as the adventure of exploration.
I have been portrayed as a Mythical painter, moving away from rigid realism to explore surrealism. Art critics and judges looking at my body of work have described my art work as such:
"Your paintings capture a very impressionistic look on American Life. Your subjects create an everyday attitude to represent figures, landscapes, and still life images through a personal perspective that makes these images feel as if they are already a part of the daily lives of the viewer. Your paintings translate a very resonant feeling of nostalgia, making the viewer feel connected to something so familiar, yet distant, and almost unattainable. Your art conveys such a strong sense of space, stripping away so much real world context that we are all so heavily exposed to, and transport the viewer into this world within the frame, where everything feels so much simpler and peaceful.
Your art is an incredibly refreshing experience, as a viewer. It successfully creates a sense of space and mood, emotionally moving the viewer into the world of the painting, and filling them with nostalgia, and a sense of peace. "
Charlie Kassabian, RAW