Eric Armusik

I am a classical figurative artist that fuses my life experiences with art history. My paintings are a declaration to the dramatic power of traditional, figurative art. The origin of my inspiration does not lie in academia, rather my past as a child surrounded by the vivid paintings I saw each Sunday during church. I don’t aspire to simply paint a figure; I paint a moment, a human experience, and an emotional dialogue that transcends culture, religion and time itself.

I use oil-based pigments, applying them to wood panels that I prepare. My chiaroscuro technique is based on 17th Century masters like Caravaggio and Artemesia Gentileschi. I paint fast and direct in an alla prima style over a grisaille, then with layers of glazes I finish with a rich varnished surface of richness and depth.

I graduated with a B.F.A. in painting and an art history minor from Pennsylvania State University in 1995 and spent a summer semester abroad in Todi, Italy, where I studied directly from the masterworks of 17th Century artists. In 2010 I won the Chairman’s Award for the Sixth International Art Renewal Center competition out of 1700 submissions from over 30 countries worldwide. In 2003 I was honored to represent the United States at the...

1991-1995 BFA, Pennsylvania State University
Studied under Julie Heffernan, Robert Yarber
Art History minor (Baroque Art), Pennsylvania State University
1995 Penn State University study abroad Todi, Italy

Solo Exhibitions

2014 Tragic Love Empty Spaces Gallery, Putnam, CT
2011 Stations of the Cross, St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, WA
2011 Stations of the Cross - The Body in Prayer, Holy Family Cathedral, Pasadena, CA
2010 “48 Hour Marathon Portrait” 27 paintings sold in 30 days, ericarmusik.com
2010 “Fire Sale” May 20-June 20. 19 paintings sold in 30 days, ericarmusik.com
2009 My Place in History, Progressive Galleries, Lancaster, PA
2007 They Had to Look, Mulberry Art Gallery, Lancaster, PA
2006 Right in Front of Them, Suite 3 Gallery, Harrisburg, PA
2005 Captured, Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA
Recent Paintings, Art Association of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA
2004 After the Party, Apollo Grill, Bethlehem, PA
Recent Paintings, Vynecrest Winery, Breinigsville, PA
1999 Recent Artwork, Artworks, Ephrata, PA.
1996 Recent Artwork, Mantis Green, Wilkes-Barre, PA


Selected Group Exhibitions

2016
Eighth Annual Figurative Drawing and Painting Competition and Exhibition., Lore Degenstein Gallery, Susquehanna University, PA
Small World Postcard Exhibition & Auction, Magpie Springs, South Australia
Richeson75 Figurative International Competition, Richeson Art Gallery, Kimberly, WI
12th International Art Renewal ...