Trying to paint the way we see can be difficult.  When we look at a scene we rarely stare at any given part, but rather, we absorb what is in front of us in its totality within a split second of time.  What attracts us to the scene in the first place is usually the way the light may be affecting one or more of its many parts.  I try to capture the impact of that split second image using color and form.. There is little regard for detail, and subject matter is secondary.

To paint in this manner, one must make quick decisions, and react immediately to those decisions.  In my best work, these decisions are reflected in the exciting  colors and solid composition.

Paint texture also plays an important role in my paintings.  It gives expression and life to the work.  The "life" can never be duplicated in a print.  The humanism is always present in originals such as these.   That is what gives them their uniqueness and their value.

Working "en plein aire", or on location out of doors, helps me key in on true color, and the sensation felt looking at the scene before me.  This sensation is heightened as the painting progresses adding more excitement to the piece.   These characteristics tend to carry over and come through in my studio work.

Biography of Rick Dziak

(b. 1945)

Education:  B.S. degree, Kent State U., Kent, Ohio  1971.  Coursework in life drawing,

                     graphics, and design.

Associations:  Signature member of Oil Painters of America, member of Ohio Plein Air Society, The Toledo Artists Club, and The Monday Morning Painters, a plein aire group in Northwest Ohio.

Representation: Collector’s Corner, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio; Dziak Gallery, Marblehead, Ohio.

Major Awards and Exhibitions:

 Dec 8, 2006:  Rick was notified that he was awarded Signature Status in Oil Painters of America.  This is a national recognition that has been awarded to only one other artist in the state of Ohio.

2011 - Merit Award – Toledo Artist Club 50th Auction

2010 - Best of Show. Toledo Artist Club 49th Auction

2009 - Best of Show, Toledo Artist Club 49th Auction

2008 -  Award of Merit, Toledo Artist Club 48^th Auction

             I                   Invited to return the Door County Second Annual Plein Air Festival, Peninsula Art School and Gallery, Fishcreek,Wis.

2007 – Honorable Mention, The Fourth Annual Ohio Plein Air Society Paintout Competition           

                                 2^nd Place, The Door County Plein Air Festival, Peninsula Art School and Gallery, Fishcreek, Wisconsin

                                1^st Place, The Katerine Crampton Memorial Art Show, Lakeside, Ohio

2006 -  Best of Show, Toledo Artist Club 46th Auction

                                 2nd Place, The Katherine Crampton Memorial Art Show, Lakeside, Ohio

                                 Painting “Spring Pond” Juried into Oil Painters of America 15th Annual  National Juried Exhibition of Traditional

                                 Oils

                                 First Place, Toldeo Artist Club Having Fun Show

2005 -  Best of Show, Toledo Artist Club 45th Auction

                                Honorable Mention, Ohio Plein Air Society Paintout competition in Nelsonville, Ohio

                                Toledo Area Artist Show, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio

2004 -  1st Place, The Katherine Crampton Memorial Art Show, Lakeside, Ohio

                                Best of Show, The Open Winter Show, Toledo Artists Club, Toledo, Ohio

                                Paintings of Brown County, Ind., group show, American Gallery, Sylvania, Oh.

2003 - 1st Place, The Katherine Crampton Memorial Art Show, Lakeside, Ohio

                                The Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Oh.

                                 Paintings from Maine, a group show, American Gallery, Sylvania, Oh.

2002 - Best of Show, Bill Williamson Award, Toledo Artists Club Auction.  Toledo, Oh.

                                Best of Show, Award of Excellence Show, Toledo Artists Club, Toledo, Oh.

                                1st Place Award, Artists in the Garden, Wildwood Manor House, Toledo, Oh.

                                1st Place Award, Four Seasons Show, Toledo Artists Club, Toledo, Oh.

                                The Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio.

2001 - Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America, Midwest Show, Arlington Hts. Ill.

                                1st Place Award, Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Oh.

                                Purchase Award, Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Oh.

                                 Oil Painters of America, National Show, Palm Desert, Ca.

                                Featured Artist, Katherine Crampton Art Show, Lakeside, Oh.

2000 - Best of Show, Gold Medallion Show, Toledo Artists Club, Toledo, Oh.

                                Best of Show, Bill Williamson Award, Toledo Artists Club Auction, Toledo, Oh.

                                Oil Painters of America, National Show, Carmel, Ca.