Jim Otrembiak

About

ABOUT JIM OTREMBIAK

Jim Otrembiak was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has been oil painting for over 40 years. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. His early experience in art and oil painting was in grade school and through classes at Pullman Park District. He took art classes with Juliet Rago in 1975 in his college years. In 1983, he moved to Cincinnati , OH, and there joined an art co-op of 10 artists on Fourth Street called Merchant Gallery. This group financed its own openings every month with member artist to coincide with the openings of Carl Solway Gallery and others in the art district. He was a member from 1983- 1985. During that time he was accepted as an active member of the Cincinnat Art Club and had been an active member for many years. He opened his studio at Pendleton Art Center in February 2002. Pendleton Art Center is unique in that it is a revitalized eight floor warehouse converted into art studios for over 100 artists. He continues to work there with a monthly open house open to the public. Representation in the past includes: Xanadu Gallery / Scottsdale AZ Catalog, Art Blend / Ft. Lauderdale FL, ArtUpClose / New York NY Catalog, Art on the Levee/ Newport KY, and ONE OF A KIND SHOW-CHICAGO. He currently shows at Pendleton Art Center/Studio 224/ Cincinnati OH.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My style reflects a modern impression of landscapes, still life, and abstract forms. Many ideas come from my travels through the USA, Canada, and National Parks , hiking and camping. I also enjoy Kentucky landscapes and areas around Chicago and the Great Lakes. I enjoy gardening watching things grow. My favorite subjects include water scenes, leaves , gardens, and fountains, some of which are as close as my back yard. In recent years I have enjoyed the desert areas around Phoenix, AZ. My favorite colors are red, purple, and aqua. A typical observer will comment that my paintings remind them so much of familiar places. They enjoy the calmness my paintings create. I do prefer tranquil and quiet settings as well. I like to take ordinary scenes and embody them with new life and dimension, calm and warmth, with my brushes and paint. Currently I share residence between Villa Hills, Kentucky and Anthem, Arizona.