Oil paintings and pastels of still lifes seem to dominate Chuck Rosenthal’s work, but other subjects have also inspired him. He has done some brilliant work capturing people in everyday life, and some wonderful landscapes.

Did you ever wonder what the artist thinks of art? Or what the person who painted that painting has gone through to achieve it?

Artists willing to let us viewers know a little bit about their thoughts on art write an “artist’s statement” and Mr. Rosenthal has done just that. The artist says,

“I believe that truly Fine Art encompasses every aspect of the visual experience, from dramatic, or at least, interesting placement of the elements in the painting to the truest atmospheric values within the capability of the artist. All of this is intended to create an impact on the viewer that is so real as to provoke an emotional response. Strong contrasts of form and lighting are an important component.

“Looking at the long view of the development of western art one would see that there is a progression of stiff, awkward drawing gradually developing, over time, into the most sophisticated and articulate forms imaginable.

“Fortunately, traditional values in art are undergoing a revival in our time and I am greatly pleased to be a part of it.”

For a little background on the artist, he attended the National Academy of Design in New York City starting in 1963, hoping to embark on a career in commercial art. His first year was spent studying under Morton Roberts, a great illustrator and fine artist who passed away long before his time. Initially the intention had been to learn to draw so as to be able to do illustration, but after three months commercial art was forgotten and fine art had become the goal.

In his first year at the National Academy he was awarded a six-month scholarship to the Academy. Several years later he was awarded the Dr. Weller student prize at the Academy. In addition, though the efforts of Daniel Greene, one of his teachers, he was awarded a scholarship membership in the prestigious Salmagundi Club, America’s oldest arts and letters club, and won an honorable mention in the 1968 scholarship membership competition.

As with many artists, Mr. Rosenthal continued to paint and learn, but due to family situations he was not able to dedicate full time to perusing a profession in fine art.

The goal of a career in fine art finally blossomed after Mr. Rosenthal left New York City and moved to Clearwater, Florida. Since the year 2000, several awards at local art shows have come his way, including two first places and a third place. One of his paintings hangs at Clearwater City Hall. His pastel work of a local landmark, Clearwater Memorial Bridge was selected for an international juried competition.

Park Place Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri exhibits Mr. Rosenthal’s paintings.

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