John Cebrowski: I am a native of New Jersey and a 1962 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. I was an industrial design major who was able to also partake in all the fine arts electives, including painting. I also studied at the Currier Museum in Manchester, NH, and am a member of the San Antonio Art League and Museum.
I work exclusively in oil and prefer to execute landscapes and seascapes…plus an occasional still life, for variety’s sake. RISD imbued a love of the Impressionists and others of that period. Auguste Renoir and Paul Cezanne are two of my favorite painters.
After serving as a US Marine Corps combat pilot in Vietnam, completing a very rewarding career in marketing and sales management in the high tech sector, and serving three terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, my wife Amanda said to me in late 2014, “Okay, what are you going to do now? Why not pick up those paintbrushes again?” And I did…and here we are!
I want a painting to look like a painting, not a photograph. I like to see a variety of brush strokes, a lot of value in the foreground, and a lot of texture and color. I endeavor to have my paintings ‘ooze’ energy and light…it doesn’t always happen, but that is the goal. I am inspired by nature and can’t resist embellishing, beautifying, and brightening what I see. I also can’t resist making my paintings an amalgamation, or combination, of different scenes. For example, I often take a colorful fascinating sky and cloud formation and insert it in place of a dull bluish-gray sky in order to enhance an attractive seascape or landscape.
My artist’s philosophy stems from my life philosophy, which is reflected in the Bible in Matthew 25: 14-30, also known as the Parable of the Talents. I believe that whatever your vocation and whatever your talents you should use them, employ them, leverage them, and grow them to the fullest. And that is what I try to do with my painting.
I would be happy to consider creating a painting for you from one or more of your favorite photos and I look forward to hearing from you and working with you. Again, thank you for visiting my website!