Baumgartner, Paul

In the color splashed mountains of North Central Pennsylvania I have been pursuing my love of painting for many years. It is along the dusty country roads, in the meadows filled with wild daisies, on covered bridges over mountain streams and in the ebb and flow of this rural lifestyle that I find inspiration for the oil paintings I do. Each season of the year brings its own unique beauty. Autumn, winter, spring or summer there is always something new to be captured in an old familiar scene. It is the changing face of Mother Nature that keeps the artist in me looking for a fresh approach to my work.
In addition to landscapes, I enjoy painting old barns, farms, antique cars, still life subjects or anything that strikes my fancy. And a trip to the seashore is sure to inspire some paintings of fishing boats. I strive to embellish the essence of a subject---to create something special from everyday sights. I want a person to look at my paintings and say, “wow, I never really noticed it that way before.”
Although awards and sales are a gratifying addition to my craft, it is the creation itself that is the most fun for me. Transforming a blank canvas into a beautiful painting through the use of color, light, shadow and composition is an exciting, almost magical, challenge.
Like Cezanne, I have occasionally wanted to toss one of my efforts into the trees, or start a roaring fire with them. A few times I have done just that. But with each effort I learn something new and positive.
One of the most satisfying things about this artistic life is when someone comes into my studio, looks at a particular canvas and tells me it touches them in some deep, personal place. That is what being an artist is all about . . . transferring a personal vision and private emotions to others through the use of a brush and palette.