(Peaks Island, ME) Richard Boyd Art Gallery opens a solo exhibition of works in pastel by New York based artist Bob Santandrea on August 1, at 10:00 a.m. A research scientist and patent attorney by training, Bob has been drawing, painting, and sculpting on and off for 30 years.

In Bob's words, "for many years, my primary artistic interests were the human figure and portraiture. During that time, I worked mostly in charcoal. After moving to Corning, New York, I became interested in landscapes and rediscovered my love of pastels. I now primarily work in pastels. I usually begin my pastel paintings with an under painting of watercolor or oil. The softness and brilliance of pastel colors mixed with other media provides my work with a degree of luminosity, and allows me to take a more impressionistic approach to my subject.

Much of my work has its start en plein-air and is a reaction to what I see in nature. The scene itself may be rather mundane on its face, such as a roadside view in a small town or an outcropping of rocks along a trail or shore that evokes a sense of something noble or unique. Seldom does a man-made structure appear in my paintings. If it does, it is often well weathered, suggesting the impermanence of our works with respect to those of nature.

Art was never part of my formal education. I have lived in and visited a variety of places, and the different experiences, tastes, and cultures have influenced my work over the years. My artistic education has included workshops, working informally with experienced artists/teachers, life drawing and plein air groups, and self-teaching. I had the opportunity to paint with Thomas S. Buechner for a few years and have taken workshops with master pastellists to learn new approaches and techniques. I have enjoyed pursuing art simply as a means of self expression and for the joy it gives me. It's a welcome change from my day job!"

The exhibit is on view free of charge to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily through August 31, 2014. Bob will be at a reception on Saturday, August 2, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Richard Boyd Art Gallery, where he will be available to discuss his paintings. The gallery is located at 15 Epps Street on Peaks Island, Maine. It is on the corner of Island Avenue and Epps Street, in the first building on the right on the first floor.

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