Jan. 4, 2014
The number one repeated comment of art lovers who view the paintings of Rob Schouten has got to be: “How does he do that?”
January will be the month to find out. Rob Schouten Gallery is proud to feature the work of its namesake from Sunday, Jan. 5 through Monday, Feb. 3.
The gallery will hold an artists’ reception and open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvre, a glass of wine or sparkling water, and a look at this remarkable assemblage of Schouten’s artwork, a solo show that has not been seen since the artist and his wife opened their gallery three years ago. Both Rob and Victory Schouten will be in attendance, and looking forward to a chance to wish all their guests a happy new year.
This will be the largest collection of work by Rob Schouten shown in over five years. The exhibition will include six recent oil paintings and more than 30 limited and open edition fine art prints. The prints shown, based on both oil and watercolor originals, and newest original oils, span a 30-year period and make up a stunning body of work.
Rob has been painting for well over 30 years, and it shows in his work. This master of detail not only wows viewers with his highly skillful brushwork, but also takes them to realms beyond the everyday; to places infused with imagination, wit and a sensibility for the natural and spiritual worlds. His is an intelligent magic-realism style for the contemplative art lover.
“Nature is my deepest source of inspiration, as are quantum physics and the stars of the night sky. Symbolism is the language I use to communicate,” Schouten said.
With his well-honed skills for detail and design, Schouten is able to take the viewer to places imagined as only a magic-realist could. His journey as an artist has been inspired by the work of Escher, Dali, Magritte, and the 19th century Symbolist artists, but even more so by the works of Carl G. Jung, Joseph Campbell and his own studies of numerous Eastern traditions, primarily Buddhism.
“My paintings are carefully crafted to instill a sense of wonder and mystery, and designed to reveal the esthetic beauty and radiance of ordinary things,” Schouten said.
Rob Schouten Gallery, a premier showcase for Whidbey Island and Northwest artists, is located at historic Greenbank Farm on scenic Whidbey Island. January Gallery Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. For further information, call 360.222.3070 or email info@robschoutengallery.
(Pictured at top, “American Buddha” by Rob Schouten, fine art print.)