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R. W. Firestone
 | Biography: Creative, inquisitive, intelligent, a true independent spirit, R.W. Firestone brings to his art the same qualities that have made him a leading author and theoretician in psychological research and a world-class sailor. His strong sense of design, color and composition combined with his unique understanding of human nature has allowed him to create a large and eclectic body of work of unusual depth and sensitivity.
R.W. Firestone was born in Brooklyn in 1930, the son of a doctor and a fashion designer. His mother's career in fashion was an early important, influence on his developing artistic sensibilities. Firestone was raised in the rich melting pot of New York's metropolitan area but his home in Brooklyn was near the ocean. The sound of the freighter's foghorns late at night kindled a lifelong love of the sea and a search for adventure and personal development. The themes of the city and the sea, separately and together, are visited frequently in Firestone's work.
His desire to understand himself and people in his life led him to study psychology. His need for a creative outlet led him to painting. Firestone's postgraduate work was spent studying schizophrenia and working with patients in the extreme's of emotional suffering. It was at this time, while in Berkeley in the 50's, that he created his first major body of work - a series of remarkably original oils depicting patients, friends and associates, as well as scenes from his many travels. These "expressionistic" paintings, steeped in traditional discipline and technique, highlight his striking sense of composition and color and evoke strong emotions and feelings.
His portraits in particular reveal his burgeoning insights into the "real" human being behind the facade. In "Schizophrenic," one senses the pain and alienation behind the cool demeanor in the seemingly relaxed smoking man, his fiery emotions ready to burst out of the rich blue background.
In "Blue Sea," another oil from this productive period, Firestone again reveals his surprisingly mature compositional style. This seascape, with its warm red sun settling into the calm, deep blue sea is slightly foreboding as if a storm is gathering force unseen outside the frame of the canvas.
In the early '60's, Firestone moved to Los Angeles to begin private practice. Amidst the sprawling megalopolis and near the sea, he completed a series of highly original black and white city and seascapes. These tempera paintings, done in an almost... to see complete biography, click on artists name Country: U.S. Birthyear: 1930 Galleries: Galleria Ravagnan, Venice, Italy
Sylvia White Gallery, Santa Monica, CA Awards: Creativenue July, 2000 Digital Art Award Media: computer or digital art Style: expressionistic Subjects: people, portraits and characters |
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