Mushin Series-Untitled 36 Painting

I was born in Woodstock, New York, USA, on June 22, 1960. Both of my parents were painters/printmakers. My mother’s parents were Dudley Summers, an accomplished painter and illustrator and his wife, Pauline, was also an accomplished illustrator specializing in book plate design. She learned this craft from her father, Wilbur Macey Stone. I was awarded a scholarship to the Art Students League of New York at an early age. I was fifteen. I studied at the summer school under a number of different Instructors. My father was an Instructor there. My studies continued at the Art Students League in New York City. Again, I was awarded scholarships to study with several artists, perhaps most notably, Robert Beverly Hale, the master artistic anatomist. Later, I returned to Woodstock and continued my education with my father and others at the then fledgling Woodstock School of Art. I recall the apt quote by Pablo Picasso who said “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist”. So I did. While striving to identify who I was artistically I devoured representations of work by Franz Kline, Andrew Wyeth, Egon Scheile, and Mark Rothko. Rothko really stuck with me. I have used oils for years but recently started experimenting with acrylic paint for a number of reasons, including my personal health and the health of the planet. I find there are far too many chemicals involved in the common practice of oil painting and while acrylic is not chemical free, it certainly is a more sustainable and less destructive medium. I enjoy incorporating gold leaf, and on some occassions, other media into my work. This year my work has been included in many exhibitions including Gestalt 4 at bg Gallery, In Your Dreams at the Marin Society of Artists, Abstract Visions at Mission Gallery, all in California. I’ve exhibited extensively in the New England states of the USA, as well as in the Netherlands. My work has been included in numerous curated exhibitions including The Twentieth Century Artists of the Woodstock Art Colony Curator, Susan Hoeltzel, Director, Lehman College Art Gallery. Krasdale Galleries, White Plains NY, In League with Woodstock, Curator, Douglas Alderfer. Park West Gallery, Kingston NY, the 4th Annual Summer Invitational Curator, Glenna Goodacre, NA. Perry House Galleries, Alexandria VA. I’ve been fortunate to receive numerous awards and prizes from many different institutions.