Daniel Petrov

In my art I search for, and occasionally find, beauty. I find it surprisingly often, considering my subject matter. I paint the human figure and, by extension, humanity, in all its contradictions. I either tell the truth, as I see it, or shamelessly indulge my fantasies, but with equal honesty. No matter whom I depict, in the end my work is always about myself. My brushstrokes and colors are a direct visualization of my soul.
Over the years I have not just created a body of work but also a body of evidence - evidence of my unique existence, my unique temperament. To me, art is an emotional release, an outlet for my noblest and basest passions. It is a health-giving and peace-giving pursuit. Thankfully, it's perfectly legal. Everything is permitted. Still, there are certain restraints I impose on myself. But even the secrets I deliberately withhold have a way of manifesting themselves. Unconsciously, they sneak onto the canvas. I delight in this dichotomy between control and oblivion. Freedom should never go to waste.

San Francisco Art Institute, BFA 1991