Howard
Behrens' paintings are
distinctively textured
and brilliantly
illuminated land and
seascapes evoking
memories of romantic
interludes in exotic
settings, often
encompassing familiar
architecture and
promenades. The artist
developed his current
painting style from his
lifelong passion for
travel: "I only paint
the places I've actually
been to...the beaches,
the mountains... places
that are a part of my
life." The Italian and
French Rivieras,
Mediterranean, Lake
Como, San Francisco are
well-travelled and the
viewer is transported
directly into the heart
of the locale through an
immediacy in technique
and explicit perspective.
Originally determined
to study medical
illustration after
receiving his
undergraduate degree in
painting, the artist
changed his mind and
altered course when
Johns Hopkins' program
required waiting an
additional year; he
continued painting,
receiving a master's
degree. However, prior
to committing his
undivided energies to
painting, Behrens worked
as the Chief Artist/Designer
in the Government
Printing Office in
Washington, D.C. Since
his first solo
exhibition in 1980,
Behrens has exhibited
extensively and is
included in private and
corporate collections in
both the United States
and Europe.
Howard Behrens was
born in Chicago Illinois
in 1933. He turned to
painting to pass the
time when, at 17 years,
he was bedridden after
breaking his leg in a
sledding accident. He
eventually earned his
Masters degree in
painting and sculpture
from the University of
Maryland. He paints
tirelessly in his studio
at his Northeastern home,
working quickly and
bolding, to avoid
approaches he describes
as over-calculated or
too computerized.
When he isn't
painting, Behrens
pursues other interests
with equal fervor.
Thoroughbred horseracing,
model trains, and of
course, trips to the
shore. The shore can be
anywhere-Bethany Beach
in Delaware, or
Santorini in the Grecian
Islands. He is never far
from the sea. On his
trips to the seaside he
always carries his
camera. With his camera,
he records the images
that he will take to his
studio to transform into
paintings.
