Rod Schneider
Simplicity. Perhaps if there is any
word to best describe my art, and in fact, me, it would be simplicity.
I abhor unnecessary complexity and I seek to avoid it, not just in my abstract
art but in my landscapes and still life's as well.
In early 2003 I painted my first abstract paintings, and discovered that I
rather liked it.
Since that time I've become increasing interested in abstract expressionism.
I've been very drawn to the work of Mondrian, Pollock and Rothko.
These three artists, to me, pushed
back the boundaries of art while still retaining a simplicity and dignity
that I admire.
I've started to apply the concept of simplicity to my landscapes, as seen
in my generic beach scene "La plage",
and also in my still life work as can be seen in my sunflower paintings. These
paintings create a scene into which
the viewer can mentally add whatever details are desired. We all already do
that subconsciously, so I'm trying to take advantage of that.
I might add here though, that while I certainly have my own ideas about art
in general, and techniques in particular.
I take great care never to look down my nose at anyone else's work. I treat
everyone's efforts with respect and demand the same in return.
I do what I do, I paint what I paint. If you like it great, if you don't,
just keep going.
Going back a little, I think my first artistic experience was in the second
or third grade. I was coloring outside of the lines,
and my teacher told me that I had no talent and couldn't draw. That was about
1957.
My next attempt at art was in 1989 when my wife bought me a Bob Ross paint
set for Christmas.
I tried a painting, and it was hideous. But, there was one little twig that
looked almost right. So I tried another painting.
I got a twig and a leaf right. I managed to go to a few workshops, and after
lots of practice, gradually I began to improve.
I soon had gone about as far as the wet in wet technique would take me, so
I engaged in a good deal of self-study, and later enrolled
in the University of Alaska, Southeast to study drawing and painting.
Five hundred or so canvases later and here I am. Still coloring outside of
the lines.
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