Stan SperlakAbout the Artist |
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Pastels, from the French word paste, are pure pigment mixed with gum
and clay. By virtue of their mineral make up, dozens of minute facets
refract light to the viewers eyes and create that special look and depth
that pastels can bring. Pastels on permanent surfaces such as board
and archival papers will hold their color for centuries and not fade,
crack or yellow as other mediums often do. Sperlak has favored pastel as his medium because of the primal nature of using one’s hands, the sensual experience of touch, and the serendipitous marks that are caused by the unusual shapes of the sticks. Over the years, Stan has most often worked on smaller pieces “plein air” or on location from life, but now has begun to experiment with very large works from these studies in the studio. The evolution in the studio is also allowing the artist to challenge color perception and put emotion on notice.
While working outdoors makes one choose ways to resolve compositions and values rather quickly, the gained experience also compels the artist to work with an abandon and vigor in the studio which will inspire and keep those feelings pure.
He is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America, the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters, the Maryland Pastel Society, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville, NJ and the Cape May County Art League. Stan studied part time at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with Al Gury, Patrick Arnold and Jill Rupinski. He is also a proud student of Patricia Vanaman Witt.
Stan is conducting outdoor art workshops, and has taught as a guest at the University of Maryland and Atlantic Cape Community College. His work can be seen at the Avery & Powers Gallery in Avalon, NJ, at The Main Street Gallery in Annapolis, MD and his studio in Cape May Court House, where he welcomes visits. Blue Roads Magazine featured Stan in the October 2005 issue. Here is the article in PDF format. This is a large document, so please be patient while it downloads. Commissions are accepted. Contact the artist at StanSperlak@comcast.net. Photograph by Stephen Spagnuola |
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Stan
Sperlak’s paintings are colorful personal journeys through beautiful
South Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. His intensely pigmented work
is the result of handmade soft pastels on rough and smooth papers
and boards that he prepares. Many of the passages are accomplished
with a very light blending by hand, while some of the heavier tones
are built through layers of pastel that are sometimes liquefied and
“fixed” with water, alcohol and turpentine applied with
brushes, razors, spoons and rags.