Artist’s Statement

I love to draw, paint and use color. When I paint from the human figure all my abilities are tested but no matter what the subject drawing is my most important involvement even in color. Since 1962 I have studied painting and picture structure…the principles of form and color. I have developed under the influence of old masters (particularly Velasquez, Rembrandt and Frans Hals) and masters of the modern era (including Courbet, Manet, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso) and Edward Boccia, St. Louis artist. Most of my work is done from direct observation and I apply learned principles along with my own ideas for form. I am indebted to my teaching career at FV Community College for the experience with people and the opportunity to develop visual concepts.

Though I minimalize the deliberate use of theme, narration or metaphor I think my work expresses personal bias…definite visual and emotive qualities. I am mainly intent on getting the right personal combination of form and color. You will see that in my work that I concentrate on formal picture elements: line, plane, color contrast, harmony and picture-space.

I hope to have achieved that special quality found only in a flat picture: ambiguous space. That is, subject matter made visible through a simultaneous use of three dimensional form and flat-form visual devices and the use of color (paint) as a quality of light.

Larry W. Kozuszek 2008