Artist Statement I FOLLOW THE MASTERS MY OWN WAY My paintings contain a wide variety of subject matters. In each new painting I try to pretend I am viewing my subject for the first time, even when it contains objects I have painted before. By doing this, I challenge myself to be more inventive. An artist must have an observing eye every waking moment and be constantly on the lookout for new and exciting light patterns, arrangements, and concepts. Personally, I find great delight in discovering new ways of recording light on objects, and observing the remarkable shadows they cast. I studied with great artist/ teachers at the Art Students League and Parsons with David Leffel, Daniel Green, Soyer, Hale. Mainly, like them I work in the realistic tradition. In the 70's I moonlighted as a free lance photographer in New York. Now I use digital photography as a tool to help me see my work in progress. When I display the photo on the computer screen it tells me more about the painting. I am not trying to imitate photographs. Although I have learn a lot about composition through photography, photographs are not selective enough, and although factual, gives too much detail for what I want to do. My intent is to recreate reality through a visual impression of nature, to state the visual rather than the actual truth. This I am able to achieve through careful selection of detail, and by the degree of emphasis appropriate to the tone and mood of the paintings. Every noteworthy painter knows that his purpose is not to “express himself” per se, but rather to do his job in the most excellent fashion, utilizing all of the means which he had at his disposal to carry out his task conscientiously. If he is successful “artistic expression” is the by-product of his skill and mastery. I follow the Masters my own way, among them the great artist Charles Frederick Ulrich, my grandfather. As both a painter and a teacher, I am keenly aware of the value and importance of such a standard for painting.