|
|
 |
|
|
|
Science and Art have a lot in common. Take one tiny human cell; it not only contains the DNA that is the essence
of who we are, but it also contains the genetic makeup of those who've gone centuries before us. In the same way, a
masterful work of art is the culmination of an artist's life's experiences, his emotions, his ideas, creativity and most
importantly, the knowledge that he gains through studying masters of fine art. Oscar Durand’s paintings are uniquely
his own, yet his sense of design and technique is based on the solid foundation of artistic knowledge that has been
handed down to us embedded in the timeless works of such masters as Carravaggio, Vermeer and Rembrandt.
Many artists can recall a single event, usually in childhood, where the spark of what is called talent is ignited. For
Oscar, it was during a visit to the Currier Gallery of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was just 14, but upon
viewing an original moody but luminescent landscape by the masterful Rembrandt, he experienced an awakening and
compelling recognition of his God - given talent. At that moment he understood that painting would be his life’s career.
As a young adult, Oscar searched for an institution that could additionally train him in the techniques used by
the old masters. Unfortunately, none existed at that time. So he set out to visit the museum of fine Arts in Boston to
study master works of fine art first hand. This was an important step to his visual understanding because the original
painting's luminosity and brushstrokes cannot be understood when seen on the pages of a book. Oscar continued to
study the paintings at the museum until he learned every technique that the masters achieved. At the same time, he
naturally developed his own style.
Richer colors and increased luminosity is how Oscar enhances his paintings. He employs the sense of
atmosphere along with texture to create mood and emotion for the viewer. Oscar uses the effect of light called
“Chiaroscuro” to emphasize the paintings center of interest (the part of the painting that he wants to make most
important.) This idea of using light to bring out the center of interest enjoys a long history in classical art.
Oscar was privileged to paint a Memorial portrait of President John F Kennedy for the J.F.K. Civic Center in
Lowell, Massachusetts; As well as a portrait of General George S. Patton which hangs in the hall of flags at the Lowell
Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. Other Corporate collections include the portrait of Mayor Pariseau that
hangs at the City Hall of Manchester NH, and also portraits of William Hamilton, Fred French, and William Bushnell, all
presidents of the former Amoskeag savings bank. The Vietnam Memorial painting which hangs at the State Armory of
NH. Oscar's paintings grace the walls of many collections, both Corporate and Private throughout the United States,
including Hawaii , Alaska, Canada, England and Puerto Rico.
Credit for the above biography goes to Oscar Durand and is posted on his website at:
http://www.durandstudio.com/bio_2.htm
|
|
|
|
|
