 |
|
 |
Minnesota Artist Raymond WattenhoferA biography on the artist behind RaymondWattenhofer.comRaymond Wattenhofer is a visual artist currently living in north central Minnesota. He is an oil painter whose work is about personal knowledge and the interpretation of that knowledge. Wattenhofer creates oil paintings that are dynamic in composition and color. His paintings are of landscape scenes and the creatures that live on the land. “The landscape and it’s creatures are forever changing and I am fascinated by the beauty that lays before me as I watch and listen,” he says. Wattenhofer paints both en plein air and in the studio. His time is divided between collecting reference material, painting on location and painting in his studio. The scenes he paints are from diverse areas and are not about a specific location or subject but about internalizing the knowledge gained and recording that knowledge on canvas in a new interpretation. The finished painting becomes universal and recognized by art connoisseurs from a wide variety of backgrounds. Throughout his career, Wattenhofer has endeavored to create art that conveys his personal perspective of life. Having a close connection to the land since his boyhood has helped him to recognize what elements are important in transcribing the vistas he sees to canvas. Keeping his palette simple contributes to maintaining clean, bright color and enhances color harmony in each of his paintings. He prefers early morning or late afternoon light to other times of the day. The artist says, “There is magic in the light during early morning and late afternoon.” Wattenhofer says, “The land has so many stories to tell and it never seems to tell the same one twice.” Oil paint and canvas are his choice of media in painting those stories and is his way of conveying his interpretation of personal knowledge. My Artist QuintessenceFine Art For Selective PeopleArt is a reflection of any given culture in any given period of time. I create art that represents a small part of our present day cultural disposition. As an artist I use present day tools and materials to make representational art. As I work I keep in mind that I am a witness to the beauty God has created and only an instrument when representing God’s creation. My hope is to convey my emotional response to the tranquility and beauty of my surroundings by primarily using shapes and color. In essence, each piece of my work is a snapshot in time that will never be repeated, locked in place for contemplation. Raymond Wattenhofer Galleries: Zanadu Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ COMMISSIONS: St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, 4’ x 9.5’ Oil Painting COLLECTIONS: Private Collections: Large Number AWARDS: Grand Prize Purchase Award, Rough Rider International Art Exhibit CAREER: 1976 - Present LIFE ENRICHING ACTIVITIES: Kayaking, camping, biking, walking, cooking, music, reading and collecting fine art ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree: Bemidji State Univesity, Bemidji, MN MILITARY: U.S. Coast Guard Honorable Discharge 1971 |
|||
 |
