Jack Liberman

Artist Statement: My philosophy of painting is to express the beauty and spirituality of nature and man through the sense and language of sight. The creative use of light is what I strive to use to unify the essence of the subjects I paint— to try to capture and communicate my spiritual feelings and render a realistic and poetic moment in time. The true artist does not copy like the one-eyed camera that lies and distorts and flattens images. I try to follow the most important principle of subordination, to select and emphasize the sensitive and important elements for the viewer to focus on, that hopefully adds grace or soul and a feeling of spontaneous life.

I paint using many of the techniques of the old masters, just as in the 17th century. I use mediums and amber and oil painting varnishes based on lost Flemish polymerized recipes that have recently been rediscovered by Donald Fels. These are the same close recipes used by Rubens, Van Dyke, Rembrandt and most painters of that time. These mediums allow for unsurpassed drawing in paint and speed of application. The luminosity of color and optical effects equal the quality of the old masters' techniques, which I find are far superior to present day commercial products. I also grind my pigments for much of my portrait and studio work.

Education

I earned a BFA in painting from Kent State University where I was honored as “ best draftsman.” I went on to study for two years at the Art Students League of NY with Frank Mason, Everett Raymond Kinstler and Ivan Olinsky— all noted members of the National Academy. I also studied landscape painting in Vermont and Maine with Frank Mason for nine months.

Memberships

I am a Life Member of the Art Students League, Signature Member of Akron Society of Artists, Member of Oil Painters of America and The Portrait Society of America. I have been elected as a member of the Salgamundi and National Arts clubs. I am a member, and am represented online by the Ohio Plein Air Society. In addition, I am a member of The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center where I have been an instructor of portrait and landscape painting for over 30 years. I also teach workshops and do demonstrations on occasion.

Awards

Recent honors include:

2015 Honorable Mention "Land and Light" Show at the Bryan Memorial Gallery, Vermont

First Place, Second Place, two Awards of Excellence, two Honorable Mentions, and “Quick Draw” awards at Ohio Plein Air Society (OPAS) Competitions over the years

Two portrait paintings and two still-lifes selected as finalists for the Richeson 75 Competition and published in their book over the years

Finalist in both landscape and figurative works in the American Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition over the years

Two medals won at Cincinnati Viewpoint National Shows

Best of Show at the Akron Society of Artists 75th Anniversary Show

Best of Show at the Canton Museum of Art Regional Combination Show

Honorable Mention at the Grand Exhibition National Show.

My paintings have been accepted at the Butler Museum’s National and Regional shows. I was accepted in group shows: Art for the Parks, Kent state University, the Akron Art Museum, Rief (State Capital) Gallery and multiple times in the National Arts Club, Salmagundi Club and Springfield Museum of Art. Recently, I was just juried into the Oil Painters of America NationalCompetition and also accepted into their first National Salon Exhibition.

-Jack Liberman

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