Artist Statement
My artwork focuses upon non-representational imagery primarily in two styles, geometrically and lyrically, at times combining elements of both. Relationships created between colors, lines and shape, as well as their perceptual evocations, are what interest me most. I enjoy creating balanced, harmonious, rhythmic compositions that espouse as much visual energy as they do meditative stillness.
Are my paintings Art for Art’s sake? Well perhaps, however I believe that connotation may be a bit too definitively limiting. If these paintings are representative of anything other than their formal elements and principles, they are for me personally, visual meditations. And, if my paintings evoke an aesthetic response in the viewer, or moments of curious contemplation, all the better.
In essence, my recent works are eschewed of narrative other than contemplative aesthetic exploration and discovery. For me, the alchemy that occurs during the creation process is meditative and spiritually mystical. The outcomes are quite often surprisingly intriguing.
Biography
I have always had a natural and unquenchable desire to create objects of aesthetic appeal. As a youth my curious fascination with art media began very early. Favorite pastimes were spent drawing, painting and experimenting with various materials to express visually. This natural thirst for creating and discovering within the realm of the Visual Arts led me to earn a Masters Degree in Art Education from the State University of New York, College at New Paltz.
In addition to formal education, I studied composition and painting with Rolph Scarlett. Rolph was an important mentor, guiding me to “hear the visual music of composition, color and form with the eyes”, as well as awakening within myself a greater understanding of the "cosmic, universal spirituality of Art”.
After an extensive career in Art Education I have retired and reside in Saratoga County New York. My work has been shown in numerous exhibitions over the past four decades. Please email mqsickler@yahoo.com for inquires and purchases.
Education
State University New York Ulster, BA Art 1973
Georgia College & State University, BS Art Education 1975
State University New York New Paltz, MS Art Education 1979
Private Instruction with Painter Rolph Scarlett, Woodstock NY 1979-1983
Group and Solo Exhibitions
Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery, Stone Ridge, NY 1971-1973
Staten Island NY Museum Fence Show 1972-1973
Leland Gallery at GCSU, Milledgeville GA, 1973-1975
The Samuel Dorskey Museum of Art New Platz, NY 1977-1979
Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, Woodstock NY 1977-1989
Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, NY 1990
Albany Center Gallery, Albany NY 1992-1995
Porch Gallery, Rehobeth Beach, Delaware 1997
Fulton Street Gallery, Troy New York 1997-1999
The Little Gallery, Sage College, Albany NY 2002
Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs, NY 2004-2023
Southern Vermont Arts Center Manchester VT 2019-2023
My artwork focuses upon non-representational imagery primarily in two styles, geometrically and lyrically, at times combining elements of both. Relationships created between colors, lines and shape, as well as their perceptual evocations, are what interest me most. I enjoy creating balanced, harmonious, rhythmic compositions that espouse as much visual energy as they do meditative stillness.
Are my paintings Art for Art’s sake? Well perhaps, however I believe that connotation may be a bit too definitively limiting. If these paintings are representative of anything other than their formal elements and principles, they are for me personally, visual meditations. And, if my paintings evoke an aesthetic response in the viewer, or moments of curious contemplation, all the better.
In essence, my recent works are eschewed of narrative other than contemplative aesthetic exploration and discovery. For me, the alchemy that occurs during the creation process is meditative and spiritually mystical. The outcomes are quite often surprisingly intriguing.
Biography
I have always had a natural and unquenchable desire to create objects of aesthetic appeal. As a youth my curious fascination with art media began very early. Favorite pastimes were spent drawing, painting and experimenting with various materials to express visually. This natural thirst for creating and discovering within the realm of the Visual Arts led me to earn a Masters Degree in Art Education from the State University of New York, College at New Paltz.
In addition to formal education, I studied composition and painting with Rolph Scarlett. Rolph was an important mentor, guiding me to “hear the visual music of composition, color and form with the eyes”, as well as awakening within myself a greater understanding of the "cosmic, universal spirituality of Art”.
After an extensive career in Art Education I have retired and reside in Saratoga County New York. My work has been shown in numerous exhibitions over the past four decades. Please email mqsickler@yahoo.com for inquires and purchases.
Education
State University New York Ulster, BA Art 1973
Georgia College & State University, BS Art Education 1975
State University New York New Paltz, MS Art Education 1979
Private Instruction with Painter Rolph Scarlett, Woodstock NY 1979-1983
Group and Solo Exhibitions
Muroff-Kotler Visual Arts Gallery, Stone Ridge, NY 1971-1973
Staten Island NY Museum Fence Show 1972-1973
Leland Gallery at GCSU, Milledgeville GA, 1973-1975
The Samuel Dorskey Museum of Art New Platz, NY 1977-1979
Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, Woodstock NY 1977-1989
Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, NY 1990
Albany Center Gallery, Albany NY 1992-1995
Porch Gallery, Rehobeth Beach, Delaware 1997
Fulton Street Gallery, Troy New York 1997-1999
The Little Gallery, Sage College, Albany NY 2002
Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs, NY 2004-2023
Southern Vermont Arts Center Manchester VT 2019-2023
