About Stephen Benedek
Biography
I have dabbled in visual art for decades, but only started to paint seriously after early retirement 20 ears ago. Since then , I have taken multiple workshops and classes, and after trying watercolors and acrylics, I have settled on traditional oils for my pieces, which are mostly figurative. Oils are more suitable for a multi-layering technique, to achieve rich , vibrant colors, and is my preferred method of painting.
I prefer to paint the human figure and portrait in a realistic, accurate way, somewhere between impressionist and photo realist.
The model is often portrayed in an activity , perhaps something that the model is passionate about. They may be musicians , acrobats, mothers with their children , dancers, etc. I want to portray a little more about their lives, inclinations , their internal beings , than just their appearance.
I do frequently modify details , the model's dress ,the environment. to enhance a storyline that may be implied in the painting. But one can say only so much in a still image. Activity can be suggested , but not expressed , in a still image. So the viewer can choose to fill in a storyline ,if wished , according to inclination.
At times , I will experiment with an environment for the image (ie background), that is entirely abstract. I hope the abstract enhances the painting. Abstract and surrealistic painting can certainly be very powerful. But, in my paintings, the figure is primary ,and will be realist.
I regularly show with the Willowdale Group of Artists, and have won several awards at these shows.
I prefer to paint the human figure and portrait in a realistic, accurate way, somewhere between impressionist and photo realist.
The model is often portrayed in an activity , perhaps something that the model is passionate about. They may be musicians , acrobats, mothers with their children , dancers, etc. I want to portray a little more about their lives, inclinations , their internal beings , than just their appearance.
I do frequently modify details , the model's dress ,the environment. to enhance a storyline that may be implied in the painting. But one can say only so much in a still image. Activity can be suggested , but not expressed , in a still image. So the viewer can choose to fill in a storyline ,if wished , according to inclination.
At times , I will experiment with an environment for the image (ie background), that is entirely abstract. I hope the abstract enhances the painting. Abstract and surrealistic painting can certainly be very powerful. But, in my paintings, the figure is primary ,and will be realist.
I regularly show with the Willowdale Group of Artists, and have won several awards at these shows.
