Oil paintings and pastels of still lifes seem to dominate Chuck Rosenthal's work, but other subjects have also inspired him. He has done some brilliant work capturing people in everyday life, and some wonderful landscapes.

Do you ever wonder what the artist himself has to say about art? Conveniently Mr. Rosenthal has left us an "artist's statement."

Artists often write an "artist's statement" which is designed to let the viewer in on the thoughts the artist has about fine art. Mr. Rosenthal's artist's statement says:

"I believe that truly Fine Art encompasses every aspect of the visual experience, from dramatic, or at least, interesting placement of the elements in the painting to the truest atmospheric values within the capability of the artist. All of this is intended to create an impact on the viewer that is so real as to provoke an emotional response. Strong contrasts of form and lighting are an important component.

"Looking at the long view of the development of western art one would see that there is a progression of stiff, awkward drawing gradually developing, over time, into the most sophisticated and articulate forms imaginable.

"Fortunately, traditional values in art are undergoing a revival in our time and I am greatly pleased to be a part of it."

In 1963 Chuck Rosenthal set out to become a commercial artist. He studied at the National Academy of Design in New York City. He wanted to learn how to draw in order to do illustrations, but three months of study caused the idea of commercial art to go out the window and he decided to pursue fine art. Part of this decision was due to his teacher and mentor, Morton Roberts, who was an excellent illustrator and fine artist himself.

In his first year at the National Academy he was awarded a six-month scholarship to the Academy. Several years later he was awarded the Dr. Weller student prize at the Academy. In addition, though the efforts of Daniel Greene, one of his teachers, he was awarded a scholarship membership in the prestigious Salmagundi Club, America's oldest arts and letters club, and won an honorable mention in the 1968 scholarship membership competition.

As with many artists, Mr. Rosenthal continued to paint and learn, but due to family situations he was not able to dedicate full time to perusing a profession in fine art.

However, in recent years, since moving from New York to Clearwater, Florida, the goal of working as a fine artist has come to fruition. A pastel painting he did of a local landmark, the Clearwater Memorial Bridge, was purchased by a corporation and donated to the Clearwater City Hall. He's won several awards since 2000, in Clearwater Fine Arts shows, and his paintings of the bridge was included in an international juries competition.

Many of his paintings hang at Park Place Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Chuck Rosenthal's well known still life paintings in oils and pastels do not eclipse his other work. Indeed, some of his landscapes and paintings of people in local scenes may outshine his still lifes.

Sometimes you look at a painting and you wonder about the artist who painted it. What is his idea of art?

An artist's statement is the artist's own write up of what he is trying to accomplish with his art. This is what he says:

"I believe that truly Fine Art encompasses every aspect of the visual experience, from dramatic, or at least, interesting placement of the elements in the painting to the truest atmospheric values within the capability of the artist. All of this is intended to create an impact on the viewer that is so real as to provoke an emotional response. Strong contrasts of form and lighting are an important component.

"Looking at the long view of the development of western art one would see that there is a progression of stiff, awkward drawing gradually developing, over time, into the most sophisticated and articulate forms imaginable.

"Fortunately, traditional values in art are undergoing a revival in our time and I am greatly pleased to be a part of it."

For a little background on the artist, he attended the National Academy of Design in New York City starting in 1963, hoping to embark on a career in commercial art. His first year was spent studying under Morton Roberts, a great illustrator and fine artist who passed away long before his time. Initially the intention had been to learn to draw so as to be able to do illustration, but after three months commercial art was forgotten and fine art had become the goal.

In his first year at the National Academy he was awarded a six-month scholarship to the Academy. Several years later he was awarded the Dr. Weller student prize at the Academy. In addition, though the efforts of Daniel Greene, one of his teachers, he was awarded a scholarship membership in the prestigious Salmagundi Club, America's oldest arts and letters club, and won an honorable mention in the 1968 scholarship membership competition.

During the intervening years, Mr. Rosenthal painted off and on, learning, but unable to devote the kind of time necessary to achieving a career in fine art. Progress toward the possibility of achieving a career was further delayed by illnesses in the family over a period of about 15 years.

However, in recent years, since moving from New York to Clearwater, Florida, the goal of working as a fine artist has come to fruition. A pastel painting he did of a local landmark, the Clearwater Memorial Bridge, was purchased by a corporation and donated to the Clearwater City Hall. He's won several awards since 2000, in Clearwater Fine Arts shows, and his paintings of the bridge was included in an international juries competition.

Park Place Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri exhibits Mr. Rosenthal's paintings.

Still life, as a category of paintings, are not the only subjects this artist paints, but they are one of his most outstanding themes. His use of color and sunlight on the apples, pears, grapes, flowers, glass, baskets, etc., make interesting contrasts in the paintings and lead the viewer into the room where the subject sits. Many of his oil paintings can be seen in offices and galleries and homes.

In his painting "Daffodils and Grapes," Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a masterly use of painting of textures where the smooth texture of the grapes contrasts to the uneven texture of the linen tablecloth. The cool smoothness of the glass vase contrasts with the lively, crinkled daffodils. This use of textures makes Mr. Rosenthal's work outstanding.

Pears falling out of a rough hewn basket contrast to the hard shiny texture of an apple in the foreground of "Fruit Harvest," another of Mr. Rosenthal's still lifes. You can almost feel the soft texture of the pears, which contrasts to the hard texture of the metal goblet nearby. The goblet alone is a work of art - with darkest of dark shadows and nearly white highlights from the light entering the room.

The composition of "Fruit Harvest II" leads the eye around the painting from the bright fruit in the foreground to the textured bowl behind, then to the smooth cool bottle of wine and finally to the brocade tablecloth that foretells the rest of the room in which this painting is set. One can imagine brocade drapes and thick carpets and elaborate furniture in the scene. The contrast of the bright fruit and dark background pulls one into the painting.

"Teapot and Fruit" shows us a coarse teapot, thrown on a potter's wheel to judge by the shape and surface quality, with grapes and apples in the foreground. The table suggests the kitchen - a cutting surface rather than a cloth covered dining room or parlor. Light seems to seep through the dark blue wall in the background - perhaps a heavy cloth covering a window.

Soft pears in the foreground of "Roses from the Garden" give depth and contrast to this painting showing the difference in textures with the hard glass bottle and frilly roses in that bottle. The brightness of the three different colored roses also contrasts with the very dark background. And the dark bottle that holds the roses is beautifully painted - although it is dark, it still pops out from the dark background because of the light falling on it.

The subject matter of these paintings is similar to old masters paintings from the 17th and 18th century, but the style of painting lends a more modern touch. The artist obviously studied old still life paintings, but painted the subjects in his own style, a bright and lively style, in spite of the still subjects and shadowy areas of the paintings.

The paintings reviewed here are on display at The Park Place Gallery in Leawood, Kansas and one can see them on their website www.theparkplacegallery.com, under the artist's name.

Visit the gallery to view fine art by Chuck Rosenthal.

Still life, as a category of paintings, are not the only subjects this artist paints, but they are one of his most outstanding themes. His use of color and sunlight on the apples, pears, grapes, flowers, glass, baskets, etc., make interesting contrasts in the paintings and lead the viewer into the room where the subject sits. Many of his oil paintings can be seen in offices and galleries and homes.

In his painting "Daffodils and Grapes," Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a masterly use of painting of textures where the smooth texture of the grapes contrasts to the uneven texture of the linen tablecloth. The cool smoothness of the glass vase contrasts with the lively, crinkled daffodils. This use of textures makes Mr. Rosenthal's work outstanding.

In "Fruit Harvest" a uneven and obviously very used basket is placed next to a cool smooth metal goblet. Pears cascade out of the basket, painted in a manner that lets the viewer know of their softer texture compared to the lone smooth, shiny harder apple in the foreground. The goblet viewed as a goblet is an amazing piece of work. But if one looks closely, one will notice that in order to get that effect, the artist used every color of brown from the very lightest, almost white, to the very darkest, almost black.

A dark background and wine bottle in contrast to brightly colored fruit and tablecloth set the scene in "Fruit Harvest II." It is easy to imagine the rest of the room to match the heavy brocade tablecloth - brocade drapes and Persian carpets and antique furniture. It is another masterly painting.

"Teapot and Fruit" shows us a coarse teapot, thrown on a potter's wheel to judge by the shape and surface quality, with grapes and apples in the foreground. The table suggests the kitchen - a cutting surface rather than a cloth covered dining room or parlor. Light seems to seep through the dark blue wall in the background - perhaps a heavy cloth covering a window.

In "Roses from the Garden" we see a very darkly tinted glass bottle holding three differently colored roses. The background is very dark, almost black, yet the bottle still stands out away from the wall, because of the light falling on it - a very nice touch in this painting. The softly painted pears in front of the bottle lend depth to the painting.

Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a bright and lively style of painting in still life, in contrast to the motionless objects he is painting and the dark rooms where they sit. Certainly the artist has studied paintings of past centuries when still life paintings were so popular. But he brings to this kind of painting a modern touch, his own style.

You can see pictures of these paintings at www.theparkplacegallery.com, the website of The Park Place Gallery in Leawood, Kansas. Chuck Rosenthal paintings are on display there.

To view fine art by Chuck Rosenthal, visit www.chuckrosenthalfineart.com

Still life, as a category of paintings, are not the only subjects this artist paints, but they are one of his most outstanding themes. His use of color and sunlight on the apples, pears, grapes, flowers, glass, baskets, etc., make interesting contrasts in the paintings and lead the viewer into the room where the subject sits. Many of his oil paintings can be seen in offices and galleries and homes.

In his painting "Daffodils and Grapes," Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a masterly use of painting of textures where the smooth texture of the grapes contrasts to the uneven texture of the linen tablecloth. The cool smoothness of the glass vase contrasts with the lively, crinkled daffodils. This use of textures makes Mr. Rosenthal's work outstanding.

Pears falling out of a rough hewn basket contrast to the hard shiny texture of an apple in the foreground of "Fruit Harvest," another of Mr. Rosenthal's still lifes. You can almost feel the soft texture of the pears, which contrasts to the hard texture of the metal goblet nearby. The goblet alone is a work of art - with darkest of dark shadows and nearly white highlights from the light entering the room.

A dark background and wine bottle in contrast to brightly colored fruit and tablecloth set the scene in "Fruit Harvest II." It is easy to imagine the rest of the room to match the heavy brocade tablecloth - brocade drapes and Persian carpets and antique furniture. It is another masterly painting.

In "Teapot and Fruit" light barely seeps in through the dark blue background - possibly a thick curtain covers a window there. In any case, it makes a nice contrast to the hand thrown teapot in light hues, and the grapes and apples in the foreground. Perhaps this scene is in a kitchen - the table on which these objects rest is more like a work table, not a dining table.

Soft pears in the foreground of "Roses from the Garden" give depth and contrast to this painting showing the difference in textures with the hard glass bottle and frilly roses in that bottle. The brightness of the three different colored roses also contrasts with the very dark background. And the dark bottle that holds the roses is beautifully painted - although it is dark, it still pops out from the dark background because of the light falling on it.

Still Life has been a favorite subject of many painters over time, and Mr. Rosenthal's paintings combine some of the old style with his new style. This artist has a colorful style full of life even though the subjects of the paintings are motionless and often in shadow.

In addition to all being still life paintings by the same artist, these paintings also have in common that they are on display at Park Place Gallery in Leawood, Kansas. View them at www.theparkplacegallery.com under artist Chuck Rosenthal.

Take a look at the gallery to view fine art by Chuck Rosenthal.

Still life, as a category of paintings, are not the only subjects this artist paints, but they are one of his most outstanding themes. His use of color and sunlight on the apples, pears, grapes, flowers, glass, baskets, etc., make interesting contrasts in the paintings and lead the viewer into the room where the subject sits. Many of his oil paintings can be seen in offices and galleries and homes.

In his painting "Daffodils and Grapes," Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a masterly use of painting of textures where the smooth texture of the grapes contrasts to the uneven texture of the linen tablecloth. The cool smoothness of the glass vase contrasts with the lively, crinkled daffodils. This use of textures makes Mr. Rosenthal's work outstanding.

Pears falling out of a rough hewn basket contrast to the hard shiny texture of an apple in the foreground of "Fruit Harvest," another of Mr. Rosenthal's still lifes. You can almost feel the soft texture of the pears, which contrasts to the hard texture of the metal goblet nearby. The goblet alone is a work of art - with darkest of dark shadows and nearly white highlights from the light entering the room.

The composition of "Fruit Harvest II" leads the eye around the painting from the bright fruit in the foreground to the textured bowl behind, then to the smooth cool bottle of wine and finally to the brocade tablecloth that foretells the rest of the room in which this painting is set. One can imagine brocade drapes and thick carpets and elaborate furniture in the scene. The contrast of the bright fruit and dark background pulls one into the painting.

In his painting "Teapot and Fruit," the artist leads us into perhaps a kitchen where apples, grapes and a rough hand made teapot rest on a work table. The dark blue of the background contrasts well with the light colored teapot and table, and the roughness of the teapot is in contrast to the smoothness of the fruits. Light barely comes through the dark background - perhaps a heavy cloth covers a window.

Soft pears in the foreground of "Roses from the Garden" give depth and contrast to this painting showing the difference in textures with the hard glass bottle and frilly roses in that bottle. The brightness of the three different colored roses also contrasts with the very dark background. And the dark bottle that holds the roses is beautifully painted - although it is dark, it still pops out from the dark background because of the light falling on it.

Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a bright and lively style of painting in still life, in contrast to the motionless objects he is painting and the dark rooms where they sit. Certainly the artist has studied paintings of past centuries when still life paintings were so popular. But he brings to this kind of painting a modern touch, his own style.

In addition to all being still life paintings by the same artist, these paintings also have in common that they are on display at Park Place Gallery in Leawood, Kansas. View them at www.theparkplacegallery.com under artist Chuck Rosenthal.

See the On The Gulf and the fine art of Chuck Rosenthal in the gallery.

High contrast color, sunlight falling on baskets and bowls, flowers and fruit, or occasionally a bottle of wine - this describes the still life paintings of Chuck Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal does paint other subjects, but still life is a favorite and wonderfully done. Many of his beautiful oil paintings hang in galleries, offices and private homes.

In his painting "Daffodils and Grapes," Mr. Rosenthal exhibits a masterly use of painting of textures where the smooth texture of the grapes contrasts to the uneven texture of the linen tablecloth. The cool smoothness of the glass vase contrasts with the lively, crinkled daffodils. This use of textures makes Mr. Rosenthal's work outstanding.

In "Fruit Harvest" a uneven and obviously very used basket is placed next to a cool smooth metal goblet. Pears cascade out of the basket, painted in a manner that lets the viewer know of their softer texture compared to the lone smooth, shiny harder apple in the foreground. The goblet viewed as a goblet is an amazing piece of work. But if one looks closely, one will notice that in order to get that effect, the artist used every color of brown from the very lightest, almost white, to the very darkest, almost black.

The composition of "Fruit Harvest II" leads the eye around the painting from the bright fruit in the foreground to the textured bowl behind, then to the smooth cool bottle of wine and finally to the brocade tablecloth that foretells the rest of the room in which this painting is set. One can imagine brocade drapes and thick carpets and elaborate furniture in the scene. The contrast of the bright fruit and dark background pulls one into the painting.

"Teapot and Fruit" shows us a coarse teapot, thrown on a potter's wheel to judge by the shape and surface quality, with grapes and apples in the foreground. The table suggests the kitchen - a cutting surface rather than a cloth covered dining room or parlor. Light seems to seep through the dark blue wall in the background - perhaps a heavy cloth covering a window.

Soft pears in the foreground of "Roses from the Garden" give depth and contrast to this painting showing the difference in textures with the hard glass bottle and frilly roses in that bottle. The brightness of the three different colored roses also contrasts with the very dark background. And the dark bottle that holds the roses is beautifully painted - although it is dark, it still pops out from the dark background because of the light falling on it.

Still Life has been a favorite subject of many painters over time, and Mr. Rosenthal's paintings combine some of the old style with his new style. This artist has a colorful style full of life even though the subjects of the paintings are motionless and often in shadow.

In addition to all being still life paintings by the same artist, these paintings also have in common that they are on display at Park Place Gallery in Leawood, Kansas. View them at www.theparkplacegallery.com under artist Chuck Rosenthal.

Hot summer in Florida has never been painted more brilliantly than by Chuck Rosenthal. Rosenthal lives in Clearwater, so he should know. His paintings of people are just the ticket for making a cold northern winter room warm with the memory of that Florida sun. While the people in the paintings are delightful, it is the sunlight that makes the paintings glow.

The time is most likely evening in Rosenthal's "Playing on the Beach," a painting of a young girl running in the sand just ahead of a small wave. Long shadows are offset by the warm glow of oranges and reds on her skin, letting the viewer know it's still pretty warm at that time of day.

In "Now Where's my Mars Bar?" a young man on the beach searches his bag for a chocolate bar. The shadows are also long in this painting, but the light is a different color - more yellows than reds and oranges. Perhaps it is early morning. Perhaps the young man went for an early swim before it got too hot. He's alone, not surrounded by beach goers, so one might assume that he got there ahead of the crowd.

A woman (mother we assume) and a young girl stand poised to enter the water on the beach in "Watching the Surf." The viewer feels the warmth of the sun on their skins. The dark oranges and reds and long shadows seem to indicate that this is an evening beach scene

Shadows and dark hues of red and orange again propose an evening setting in "On the Gulf," where a small girl with a pail is listening to something her mother, or perhaps grandmother, is saying, as they stand in the shallow surf. Is she telling the girl it's time to leave? We all know what a child's answer to that would be.

In this reviewer's opinion the best is "Clearwater Construction Workers." Five men stand in hardhats and orange vests in the hot summer sun of midday. You understand that from the painting because of the dark short shadows, and harsh lights that bleach the men's yellow hardhats nearly white. You can feel the heat from the white sidewalk.

Maybe you saw these men on your last trip to Clearwater in summer or anywhere in summer really - there they are figuring out something about the plan of what they are to do, or maybe it's just too dang hot to get much work done.

Every painting has at least two stories - the artist's story and the story that the viewer contributes to it. We may never know Chuck Rosenthal's stories that go with each of these paintings, but we do know this is an artist who loves and captures sunlight. What beautiful warmth.

Chuck Rosenthals art has a warmth of color that draws the viewer into the paintings. He paints many subjects " still life, landscape, people on the beach or men working construction " but his own unique form of painting glows in each one. Viewers wish they were there.

His landscapes and sea scenes could get you through a cold misty winter. They would make any room light up with warmth.

His still life paintings give enough detail to make the viewer feel the texture of the pottery or the smoothness of the glass, but never overwhelming detail, which would distract from the painting. The viewer enjoys the smell of the flowers, the taste of the fruits.

Overworking a painting " too many details, too many brush strokes, often marks the work of beginning artists. Rosenthals art has the look of a professional. There are no overworked paintings in his gallery.

People can identify with and feel comfort in the subjects of Rosenthals paintings. No after the hunt scenes in these still lifes. Flowers and pumpkins and pears and apples are his subjects. They are painted in such a way as to take you back to a simpler life, although they are items found in the modern world.

If you went to a shore tomorrow you might find the little girl in the water, the mother and daughter watching the ocean, or the father and daughter playing in the surf. There is nothing obscure or idealized about the subjects.

However, the paintings themselves heighten common place scenes to something higher and cause the viewer to see scenes the way the artist sees them. They become extraordinary because of the artists admiration of life and light in the world around us.

To read more about the artist, visit his website www.chuckrosenthalfineart.com. But better than reading about his awards and struggles as an artist, view his gallery page, and see the way this artist views the world. Its fascinating.

Chuck Rosenthals art has a warmth of color that draws the viewer into the paintings. He paints many subjects " still life, landscape, people on the beach or men working construction " but his own unique form of painting glows in each one. Viewers wish they were there.

His landscapes and sea scenes make you feel the sun on your back. Such a painting on a wall could get you through a cold cloudy winter.

Rosenthals technique presents sufficient detail to give the viewer the gritty feel of the pottery and the reflections of the glass in his still lifes without overdoing it. The fruit and flowers stand out as realistic, without being photographic.

Overworking a painting " too many details, too many brush strokes, often marks the work of beginning artists. Rosenthals art has the look of a professional. There are no overworked paintings in his gallery.

Simple everyday things are the subjects of his paintings, things that give people comfort. The daffodils and irises, apples and grapes in his still life paintings are things people know in the modern world, but are painted in such a way as to take you back to a simpler life.

If you went to a oceanside tomorrow you might find some of Rosenthals subjects " a little girl playing, a child and her father playing in the sand, a grandmother and granddaughter watching the surf. There is nothing lofty or idealistic here.

But the paintings convey more than the ordinary. Or perhaps, one should say, they elevate the ordinary to a higher plane, inviting the viewer to join in the artists admiration of life and light in the world around us.

To read more about the artist, visit his website www.chuckrosenthalfineart.com. But better than reading about his awards and struggles as an artist, view his gallery page, and see the way this artist views the world. Its fascinating.