Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo creates dynamic compositions of people and places that communicate a rich commentary on the world around him. Depicting trees from personal encounters, Surdo’s latest body of work entitled “Tree Spirits” takes us on a foray into the forest, where leaves, branches and burls express something deeply personal. Applying his mastery of figurative realism to the natural world, he experiments with form and texture to uncover the intangible spirits of trees.
With small scale and intricate brushwork, this petite painting entitled “Channeler” offers a glimpse at the intimate contours of a sycamore tree. Restricting the composition to only a portion of the tree trunk, Surdo accentuates the tree’s abstract form, lingering on areas of unusual shape or texture. As though peering through a window to the outside, the focused perspective draws attention to the subtle beauty of the tree, from the graceful gesture of each outstretched branch to the soft gradation of color in its bark.
Unlike other works within the series, painted with thick, tactile surfaces, “Channeler” is painted with short, even brush strokes for a smooth texture that looks soft enough to touch. Guided by memory, the portrait conveys the strong emotional response elicited by Surdo’s initial encounter with the tree. Brightly lit by sunlight and backed by peaceful grassy fields, the sycamore tree is open, earnest and inviting, an optimistic spirit that uplifts its surroundings and provides a connection to nature.
Oil on board.
