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Herbert Berman

Artist's Statement

When Herbert Berman starts a new work, he feels like a juggler constantly trying to balance all the elements that, if successful, will lead to a good painting. His paintings are about light, and the challenge of interpreting what he sees.

Most of Mr. Berman’s work is done in his studio, where he can control the light source. How light falls on an object, the shadow it casts, how reflected light behaves, and how all the pieces in the painting relate to each other, are the questioned he must answer while painting.
Mr. Berman finds he gets the results he wants in oil paint. He does not draw on a new canvas. He starts by applying paint, and as the drawing emerges he can see the progress. After experimenting with other styles, he found that realistic painting in the tradition of the old masters, works best for him.

The art instructors that influenced Mr. Berman the most were, Daniel Greene, David Leffel, Jacob Collins, Gregg Kreutz, and Ted Seth Jacobs.

He moved from New York City to Corvallis, Oregon in 1996. Hs studio is located in his home in Corvallis. He was the artists-in-residence at the Forrest Temple Gallery, Corvallis for six years.

Thanks to the influence of Leffel and Kreutz, Mr. Berman does not waste time when he doing a portrait. He can finish portrait in oils in one sitting; about two hours.

The Arts Center Exhibitions:

• Herbert Berman & John Ritchie, Corrine Woodman Galleries, July 2011

Resume:
Selected Exhibitions or Gallery Representation:

• 2006    Opus 6ix Gallery, Eugene OR
• 2003-now    Pegasus Art Gallery, Corvallis OR
• 2005    Art Talks Gallery, Westport WA
• 2003-2009    Forrest Temple Gallery Corvallis OR
• 1999    State Capitol Building, Salem OR
• 1997 – 2009    Broderick Gallery
• 1997     Istanbul Theater, New York
• 1996    H.B. Playhouse
• 1993-1994    Salmagundi Club, New York
• 1994- 1996    Art Students League, New York
• 1994    Galleria Alexander, Florida
• 1984    Parsons School of Design, New Yor
• 1983    Union Carbide Gallery, New York
• 1982    Woodstock School of Art Gallery, NY
• 1974    Atlantic Gallery, New York
• 1974    Featured on CBS Eyewitness News
• 1971    Brooklyn Art Museum

Awards and Honors:

• 1995    Augie Napoli Memorial Award for an Oil Painting, Salmagundi Club, New York
• 1994, 1995    Recipient Working Merit Scholarship, Art Students League, New York
• 1994    Winner, Merit Award for a Still Life, Art Students League, New York
• 1994    The International Liquitex Excellence in Art Grant Program
• 1973-1994    I.B.E.W. Annual Art Exhibition, total of 18 First Prizes
• 1982    Anco Wood Scholarship Award
• 1971    Brooklyn Museum Fence Show, First Prize Oil Painting

Organizations:

• Corvallis Art Guild, Corvallis OR
• Life Member, Art Students League, New York
• Former Resident Artist, Salmagundi Club, New York