Randall Stoltzfus

Works

Overview

A painter of luminous landscapes with abstract and figurative elements using hand-painted circles, showcasing his meticulous technique and manipulation of color, shape, and light. His work is held in public and private collections worldwide.

Randall Stoltzfus is an artist whose abstract paintings feature hand-painted circles to create luminous and vivid landscapes with both figurative and abstract elements. He uses oil paint and mixed media such as gold leaf and aluminum to create color and movement, manipulating contrast to express light. Stoltzfus's meticulous technique of painting hundreds of circles by hand reveals patterns that are special to the eye and immerses the viewer into a surreal visual experience. Stoltzfus was born in rural Virginia, studied painting at American University in Washington, DC.

Stoltzfus's work can be found in several public collections, such as the Centro Pari Opportunitá in Italy, Alliance Bernstein in New York, and the DC Council on the Arts and Humanities in Washington, DC, as well as numerous private collections.

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Biography

Randall Stoltzfus's abstract paintings use hand-painted circles to create luminous and vivid landscapes that deconstruct the physical components of nature to reveal its spiritual life. With his meticulous technique and manipulation of color, shape, and light, Stoltzfus immerses the viewer into a surreal visual experience.

Randall Stoltzfus's abstract paintings, composed of multiple hand-painted circles, depict luminous and vivid landscapes. A devotee to nature, Stoltzfus deconstructs the physical components of an environment to reveal the spiritual life within it. As a result, his works contain both figurative and abstract elements. Within his paintings, Stoltzfus uses oil paint and mixed such as gold leaf and aluminum to create color and movement. Stoltzfus also manipulates contrast to express light. By applying multiple layers of lighter colors, he creates an effect where light seems to emanate from within the painting. What's impressive is Stoltzfus's meticulous technique of painting hundreds of circles by hand in order to develop his compositions. As he claims, hand-painting the circles allows imperfect shapes and reveals patterns that are special to the eye; the viewer is able to look past the painting and experience the colors taking on a life of their own. Stoltzfus's paintings are an impressive feat as they manipulate basic elements such as color, shape, and light in order to immerse the viewer into a surreal visual experience.

Randall Stoltzfus was born in 1971 and raised in rural Virginia, where he learned to cross-stitch, garden, and paint houses from his Mennonite family. Today he lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, where he makes art about light from multitudes of hand-painted circles. Previously, Stoltzfus studied biology and art at the University of Virginia, receiving a BA in Studio Art with highest distinction (1993).

While in Virginia he also apprenticed as a goldsmith with Lee Marracinni
and studied independently with the painter Robert Reed. He attended the Chautauqua Institute of Art as a student on a scholarship award in the summer of 1993, returning as a teaching assistant after receiving his MFA in painting with a full fellowship from American University (1996). After moving to Brooklyn (1996), Stoltzfus worked as a muralist and conservation technician for
Evergreen Architectural Arts. In this role he worked on murals at New York Landmarks including the Chrysler Building, The New York Public Library, and Grand Central Station.

Exhibitions