Steve Ohlrich

medium: painting

Click on the image to see the full version.

Gerry 2002 Painting	Still Life 2002 Painting	Cara 2002 Painting
Chicago Composition 2002 Painting	Run Stinky Run! 2004 Painting	Forget Me Not 2007 Painting
Roman's Dream 2008 Painting	A Subtle End 2008 Painting	House on Brewer's Hill 2010 Painting
First Snow 2010 Painting

Contact information
Artist resides in: Milwaukee, WI
Email Address: steve@steveohlrich.com
Web site: www.steveohlrich.com

Artist statement
My art, my vision and my stories are told through the use of representational imagery as symbols conveying a psychological state. For instance, doors symbolize shifting states of consciousness and stormy clouds signify impending doom. Color heightens drama, and figures often represent the narrator. Working in this manner, I can fully express the ideas and feelings I have as a response to the world around me.

I am surrounded by inspiration: a book, a mood, a building or a concept, these set the stage for my paintings. I choose imagery that best conveys my story. The landscape, figures and lighting are carefully selected to carry forth my idea. Oil paint is my chosen medium. It is my connection to art history, such as the Renaissance painters whom I have always admired. The colors are preferable as they are often pigments extracted from nature.

My current work is about psychological states and surrealist imagery. My latest images spring from my own life. Fear of the unknown, balancing on the edge of danger and reliving dark memories have guided recent works. However, in the case of “Run Stinky Run,” I created an anxious situation in a colorful manner with a bit of humor. I am interested in pursuing humor in future works as well as satire. As my life experiences continue to expand so will the inspiration for my work.

Biography
Steve Ohlrich is an artist who comes from an artistic heritage including painters and wood workers. He has been drawing since early childhood and received awards at an early age. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a minor in psychology. After serving the psychology community in and around Chicago for three years, Steve pursued artistic training at The School of Representational Art. He received a certificate after four years of extensive training in academic drawing and painting, and the study of composition and impressionistic color.

Steve draws inspiration from a wide variety of artists including the Old Masters, American and European Impressionists and modern painters. His work includes realistic figurative works, portraits, still life and creative compositions. Steve’s creative compositions are a combination of artistic skill and imagination, which give voice to his unique perspective on life and human endeavor past and present. Currently, Steve works on commission and pursues independent projects. He has sold his works to private collectors and has displayed in public exhibitions. He is an instructor at The School of Representational Art, Kewaunee Academy of Fine Arts and also teaches at public art centers and in the homes of individual art students.

Presently he resides with his wife and son in the city of Milwaukee.