MSB Fine Art - Paintings, Art and Artwork by artist Mark Brunner, Mark S. Brunner

Artist's Statement

I paint in two styles, abstract and representational, in order to discover more possibilities in the themes of exploration, journey and balance.

In abstract works, my subject is often a form, figure or symbol. Color fields, bars, biomorphic figures or X's and O's all signify aspects of exploration, journey and balance. Bars separate two or more color fields, balancing the known and unknown, or the seen and unseen in ourselves. Figures are stripped bare of features, sometimes down to a simple line, to convey that an entity is there -- or rather, was there -- in that moment of a journey or exploration. X's and O's symbolize open or closed passageways, or choices we make in exploration.

In representational works, realistic subjects like trees, branches or landmarks often convey a sense of history or melancholy. I relate this to paths taken, or the balance of what was and what is to be. Trees and branches represent the balance of strength and fragility, pertaining to the environment in which we live. Man-made landmarks are the physical manifestations of the balance between man and his past.

In addition, my work often contains a halo of color that surrounds the content. It is an opening window into the landscape of the painting, shedding light onto the subject.

Through my paintings, I strive to achieve a sense of discovery, where at first glance there seems to be a singular subject, but upon further inspection, one can journey deeper into the subtext, exploring a balance between art, artist and viewer.