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Howard Behrens Biography
Howard
Behrens (1933 - ) Chicago, Illinois. Behrens turned to painting to
pass the time when, at 17 years, he was bedridden after breaking his
leg in a sledding accident. He eventually earned his Masters Degree
in painting and sculpture from the University of Maryland. He paints
tirelessly in his studio at his Northeastern home, working quickly
and boldly, to avoid approaches he describes as "over-calculated"
or too "computerized." When he isn't painting, Behrens pursues
other interests with equal fervor including thoroughbred horse racing,
model trains, and, of course, trips to the shore. The shore can be
anywhere-Bethany Beach in Delaware, or Santorini in the Grecian Islands.
He is never far from the sea. On his trips to the seaside he always
carries his camera. With his camera, he records the images that he
will take to his studio to transform into paintings. Traveling is
a passion for Howard Behrens. He says of Lake Como, Italy, "I
cannot help but return again and again to this part of the world...each
trip to Lake Como brings me new vistas, hidden gardens and most of
all, new impressions..." He goes on to express his appreciation
of the place: "...somehow the light is different here, the twilight
seems to last longer on Lake Como." Howard
Behrens' paintings are distinctively textured and brilliantly illuminated
land and seascapes evoking memories of romantic interludes in exotic
settings, often encompassing familiar architecture and promenades.
The artist developed his current painting style from his lifelong
passion for travel: "I only paint the places I've actually been
to...the beaches, the mountains... places that are a part of my life."
The Italian and French Rivieras, Mediterranean, Lake Como, San Francisco
are well-travelled and the viewer is transported directly into the
heart of the locale through an immediacy in technique and explicit
perspective. Originally
determined to study medical illustration after receiving his undergraduate
degree in painting, the artist changed his mind and altered course
when Johns Hopkins' program required waiting an additional year; he
continued painting, receiving a master's degree. However, prior to
committing his undivided energies to painting, Behrens worked as the
Chief Artist/Designer in the Government Printing Office in Washington,
D.C. Since his first solo exhibition in 1980, Behrens has exhibited
extensively and is included in private and corporate collections in
both the United States and Europe
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