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- Artist Name:
- Eric Armusik
- Location:
- Pennsylvania
- Statement:
- My paintings are museum quality 21st century baroque masterpieces in the manner of Caravaggio. My work fills the gaps between 17th century Italian baroque painting and my interpretation of various themes from religion, mythology and my purpose as an artist, a husband and a father. Each rendition draws from my experiences and history in the telling of the story. The parallels between reality and what subjects I paint showcase the accessibility and honest appeal of my work to novice and seasoned collectors alike.
I use oil-based pigments on panels I prepare by hand. Painting surfaces vary from oak to precious linens stretched over oak panels and all are sanded to a silky-smooth finish. I paint with traditional Italian and Flemish techniques, layering thin glazes of oil paint like the Old Masters. The end result is a glowing, vibrant surface, with richness and depth.
- Biography:
- Born in 1973, Eric Armusik grew up in the northeastern coal region of Pennsylvania. Once one of the largest coal mining operations in the county then was replaced with the depressions of post-industry. The landscape riddled with abandoned buildings and mountains of culum provided little inspiration for the young talented artist. What remained out of all the blight was a vibrant and ethnic community strong in faith. What the community lacked in public art and museums it made up for it with churches on every city block. It was here Eric had his first experiences with art staring at the walls and ceilings at church every Sunday. The traditions and academic rendering of Catholic artwork made a permanent impression that continues to influence his work today.
Armusik attended Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a B. F. A. in painting, with and a minor in an art history focusing on Baroque art. He spent his last semester studying painting and art history in Italy. The rare opportunity to view masterworks by Baroque painters Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi had a profound effect on the quality of his work and focused the inspiration he experienced as a child.
To date the artist’s work has been featured in such galleries and museums as the Salmagundi Art Club, New York; Allentown Art Museum; Philip and Muriel Berman Art Museum, Ursinus College; Monsoon Galleries; Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts; State Museum of Pennsylvania; and Reading Public Museum. His paintings are in the permanent collections of The Trenton City Museum, Lehigh Valley Hospital and several private collections and his work has also been prominently featured in publications like American Artist Magazine, American Art Collector, Victorian Homes, Old House Journal, ArtMATTERS, Morning Call, Reading Eagle and William and Mary Review.
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