I entered Binghamton University in 1973 as a business major, then quickly switched to an art major and graduated with a degree in psychology and went on to optometry school. So much for planning. Yet all through my education years I pursued my interests and studies in art. Since the 1970’s I lived in different parts of New York State and studied with Aubry Schwartz, Angelo Ippolito in Binghamton, Sharon Sprung in Brooklyn, and Stan Brodsky on Long Island. I live in Long Beach, Long Island now and have enjoyed classes at the artist studios at the Nassau County Museum of Art and the Art League of Long Island. I also have a home in Windham, upstate New York which is an area that provides me with great material for landscape painting.

Much of my art is done alone outdoors or in my studio, but I always find it exciting to paint in a class or studio setting where artists can exchange ideas. There is always so much to learn from your peers.

I enjoy showing my work at local shows on Long Island or New York City. I also have shown work in the Catskill Mountain area. The bulk of my work is inspired by nature and I guess I could be considered a regional painter. My subject matter and my palette are heavily influenced by the Catskill Mountain region of New York and Long Island. I find the mountain light magical and never tire of finding new ways to bring it to canvas. Long Island also is famous for its unusual quality of light but one needs to travel to the extreme ends of the Island to experience this. Unfortunately, pollution and over development have minimized this once wonderful landscape which attracted so many artists over the years. Yet the Long Beach sunsets and sunrises are still quite impressive and have inspired many paintings from me recently.

When I paint people and portraits I try to capture the energy and feeling of the person. I don’t focus on details or worry over anatomical exactness. My concern lies in what is under the skin. If I can capture the life force that makes that person unique then I feel I have a true representation of who I’m painting.

I think artists are special people. People who can see beauty in the ordinary, colors in the darkness, and capture a moment in time and give it immortality. As an optometrist I have helped people see the world as it appears in front of their eyes more clearly. As an artist I can help people see things in new colors or light, in such a way that their eyes may not have seen before, enabling people to see the world as it does not appear before their eyes.

To see more of Stuart Friedman's work click here

For a list of Stuart Friedman's juried exhibits click this link