Paul Strisik painted light and color in all its manifestations. He went beyond mere description to explore the reasons why things look the way they do. There is luminosity in Strisik’s skies that glimmers off the earth, glosses the surface of the water, and reveals his excitement and emotional involvement in the subject.

Paul Strisik was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1955 he moved to Rockport, Ma. where he maintained his studio and gallery until his death in 1998. He traveled extensively in North America and abroad to enjoy the challenge of new subjects. He was a dedicated plein air painter, finding even the briefest outdoor stimulation carried him back to the subject more true to the feeling, the light and the mood of the place than photographs. His photographs were used for intricate details. An occasional interior or still life offered him a change of pace from his outdoor activities. He worked in both oil and watercolor. Strisik was particularly fond of painting the Southwest where he had a second home in Santa Fe for a number of years.

Paul studied at the Art Students League in New York with Frank Vincent Dumond. It was from Dumond that he learned about cause and effect to learn what causes appearances in order to paint the effect with understanding.

Paul Strisik is a nationally acclaimed painter, and was a member of the most prestigious organizations in America including Academician (N.A.) in the National Academy of Design, National Academy of Western Art (Oklahoma City), Hudson Valley Art Association, N.Y., Rockport Art Association (Past President), Copley Society of Boston (Copley Master), Oil Painters of America, The Guild of Boston Artists, Allied Artists of America, New England Watercolor Society, The International Society of Marine Painters, North Shore Arts Association, Artists Professional League and the American Watercolor Society, N.Y..

His one-man shows include The Grand Central Galleries, New York, NY; Doll & Richards, Boston, MA; Rockport Art Assoc, Rockport, MA; Andover Gallery Fine Arts, Andover, MA, Gordon College, Wenham, MA; Johnson-Welch Gallery, Kansas City, MO; Francesca Anderson Gallery, Boston, MA; Dodson Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK; Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH; Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, VT; Vose Gallery, Boston, MA (2015).

Retrospective Shows: Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe, NM (1999)
Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, VT (2000)
Rockport Art Assoc., Rockport, MA (2001)
Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA (Still Life Show, 2007)
Rockport Art Association & Museum, Rockport MA (2014)

He exhibited in numerous national exhibitions including The National Academy of Design, NY; American Watercolor Society, NY; The Royal Watercolor Society, London, England (1992); Catto Gallery, London (1992); Artists of American Show, Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City, OK; Thomas Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK; Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM; Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM; Western Heritage Show, Texas; Albuquerque Museum of Fine Arts, NM; DeCordova Museum, Lincoln, MA; Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH.; Copley Society of Boston, MA; The Guild of Boston Artists, Whistler Museum, Lowell, MA; and others

In 1981 the Hudson Valley Art Assoc, NY paid special tribute to Paul Strisik with a show of his works at their 44th Annual Exhibition. The Rotary Club of Santa Fe, NM named him artist of the year in 1986. His paintings are in many museums, corporations and other prominent private collections.

His concepts and technical skills are included in his book,” The Art of Landscape Painting” 1980, published by Watson-Guptill. His last book, “Capturing Light in Oils”, a Northlight Publication was released in 1995.

Articles on his work have appeared in many publications including Southwest Art, Art West, Southwest Profile, North Shore Life, American Artists, Artists of the Rockies, Western Arts Digest, Santa Fean Magazine, Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting, Oil Painting Techniques and others. His television appearances include ABC’s Boston, Evening Chronicle, NBC’s Boston Evening Magazine, and the NBC’s Today Show. His television productions include KTVY Oklahoma City, Ok., “Creative Arts”, Sketching in the Field, Sketching in Foreign Lands, and Painting on Location. He is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who in American Art, and Contemporary Western Artists.

His work may be seen at the following galleries across the country, The Nedra Matteucci Galleries, Santa Fe NM; Vose Gallery, Boston MA; Landmark Gallery, Kennebunkport ME.

Paul Strisik won over 185 awards including 17 gold medals. He passed away in Rockport, MA on July 22, 1998.

Source: Paul Strisik