Sunset Reflections in a Pond Painting

I have been interested in painting all my life and enjoy the boldness of the impressionist and early post-impressionist artists. My favorites include Van Gogh, Renoir and Monet. For the past 30 years I've become more serious in my approach to art and have made an effort to exploring new techniques, color combinations and styles. While I still favor bright and vibrant colors in landscapes and floral still life, I look to put them into more varied compositions. I've also had a lot of fun adding much more texture and thickness to some of my pieces to give them a heavy impasto treatment or 3D feeling. Art has always been a very welcome and calming therapy for me. I hope you enjoy viewing my art as much as I enjoy creating it. Thank you! John Rafalski "Raf"