ARTIST STATEMENT

"Because we live in a time when our very existence on this planet is in jeopardy due to the continual destruction of the environment, it is imperative that each of us use the means at our disposal to bring an awareness to this growing crisis. As an artist, I use my creative ability through visual language to address these issues for my viewing audience. Although society is bombarded on a regular basis with negative news about our situation, it is through my paintings that I hope to inspire those viewers with a sense of the beauty and wonder of the natural world around them. Common objects of leaves and pebbles, shells and feathers therefore play just as important a role in my work as a grand landscape would. As the great American painter Georgia O’Keeffe once remarked, “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment.” It is this same intimate moment captured in my paintings that I hope touches the soul of those who view them.
 
By incorporating the aesthetic of the Japanese Zen Buddhist concept of wabi-sabi, my paintings become a stage where both man-made and natural objects play out their delicate balancing act. Deliberately austere in composition, they focus one’s attention on the detailed trompe o’leil renderings of the subject matter in a way that complements the Eastern philosophy of wabi-sabi. It is through this intimate interaction between my work and the viewer that I hope a stronger understanding develops concerning our imperiled environment’s struggle against the daily ravages of man."   B. Stroman 2006

RESUME

EDUCATION
Millersville University, Millersville, PA Graduate Courses in Art Studio Techniques
Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Campus, Middletown, PA , Graduate Courses in Humanities
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education

EXHIBITIONS
2004
Circle of Bliss:Tibetan Meditation Art, Columbus Museum of Art, Newark, OH
2003
Earth Art, Lynden Gallery, Elizabethtown, PA
Art of the State Exhibition, State Museum, Harrisburg, PA
2002
N.S. of P.C.A. National Juried Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NYC, NY
International Colored Pencil Society Juried Exhibition, Ft. Worth, TX
Lebanon Valley College 31st Annual Juried Arts Exhibition, Annville, PA
Washington and Jefferson College National Painting Show, Washington, PA
Hilton Head National Juried Art Exhibition, Hilton Head, SC
Group Show, "Select Solo II", Delapline Visual Arts Center, Frederick, MD
Group Show, "The Nature of Nature", York Arts Gallery, York, PA
Membership Show, "Dreamscape", Art Association of Harrisburg, PA
Regional Art Educators' Exhibit, Millersville University, Millersville, PA
Solo Exhibition, Penn National Insurance Corp. Hdq., Harrisburg, PA
Group Show, Prelude Exhibition, Lancaster Galleries West, Elizabethtown, PA
Solo Exhibition, Lancaster Galleries West, Elizabethtown, PA
2001
York Regional Juried Art Exhibition, York, PA (also 1994, 1990)
2000
International Colored Pencil Society Juried Exhibition, Birmingham, MI
Going Beyond The Line Exhibition, Vera Curnow Gallery, Rising Sun, IN
1999
International Colored Pencil Society Juried Exhibition, Seattle, WA
Solo Show, Morales Art Gallery, Duck, NC (also 1998, 1993)
1998
Colored Pencil in Colorado International Juried Exhibition, Denver, CO
International Colored Pencil Society Juried Exhibition, Arlington, VA
1997
Group Show, Morales Art Gallery, Duck, NC
1994
Immaculata College Invitiational Show, Great Valley, PA (also 1993, 1992)
1993
Colored Pencil Society of America National Exhibition, Birmingham, MI
Elizabethtown College Juried Art Exhibition, Elizabethtown, PA
National Colored Pencil Exhibition, Massey Fine Arts, Santa Teresa, NM (also 1992)
Hazelton Art League Regional Juried Exhibition, Hazelton, PA
Two Man Show, Lancaster County Art Association, Lancaster, PA
1992
Solo Show, Branch Creek Gallery, Shippensburg, PA
1990
Reading Museum Regional Juried Art Exhibition, Reading, PA
62nd Grand National Juried Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NY
Lebanon Valley College Art Exhibition, Annville, PA
Original Art Auction, Sierra Club, PA Chapter, Harrisburg, PA
Membership Show, Lancaster County Art Association, Lancaster, PA (also 1988)
1989
Solo Exhibition, Hershey Cultural Center, Hershey, PA

AWARDS
2002
Colored Pencil Society of America, 5 Year Merit Award, Ft. Worth, TX
Strathmore Paper Company Award for Excellence, Ft. Worth, TX
Honorable Mention in Acrylics, Hilton Head National Juried Art Exhibition
1999
Colored Pencil Society of America, Signature Member
Who's Who Among America's Teachers Award (also 1998)
1998
Prismacolor Award for Outstanding Recognition, Alexandria, Va
1990
Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation Teacher as Artist Award, 2-week Studio, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lancaster County Art Association People's Choice Award, Membership Show
Blue Mountain Chapter of Sierra Club, Local Artist of the Year Award
1989
PA Wildlife Federation Commemorative Stamp Competition Finalist
1988
Lancaster County Art Association Membership Show, Second Place

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Published Articles · Lancaster New Era, "Feathers and Nails", by Jane Holahan, 2003
The Best of Colored Pencil, Vol. 5, "Forbidden Fruit", 1999, Rockport Publishers, Gloucester, MA
American Artist Magazine, "The Coming of Age of Colored Pencil", by Linda S. Price, December, 1998
The Best of Colored Pencil, Volume 2, "Poppies By The Gate" and "Passageway", 1994, Rockport Publishers, Gloucester, MA

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Colored Pencil Society of America, Signature Member
Harrisburg Art Association, Harrisburg, PA
Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, MD

PRESS RELEASES click on entry to read

Brad Stroman, A Delicate Web, Arts Hotel Gallery, Lancaster Arts Hotel - September 2008
Brad Stroman, A Delicate Web, Lynden Gallery - May 2008
Brad Stroman, Earth Matters, Manada Conservancy - May 2006
Brad Stroman, Listen - December 2005
Local Artist, Brad Stroman, Recevies National Attention - May 2002