Thomas Torak is a modern master painter working in the classical tradition. His paintings are known for their breadth and luminosity, rich color and lively brushwork. The title of the demonstration is Bringing life to a still life. Torak, an instructor of portraiture and figure painting at the Art Students League of New York, will discuss his philosophy and approach to painting while creating an original work of art. Materials and techniques, composition and harmony, luminosity and atmosphere, as well as drawing and color, will all be discussed in Torak’s remarks. In his 40 years of experience in front of the easel he has acquired a wealth of knowledge about the practice of painting and will generously share his expertise with students, fellow artists and collectors. The event is free and open to the public.

Torak’s Autumn Poem, on view at the gallery, was recently awarded the Newington Award – Best Painting in Show at the American Artists Professional League’s 86th Grand National Exhibition. He has received 87 awards to date including the AAPL Medal of Honor, the Audubon Artists Gold Medal of Honor, the Allied Artists of America Silver Medal of Honor and the Academic Artists Gold Medal. His painting The Artist was purchased by the Masur Museum in Monroe, LA for their permanent collection and his Onions is in the permanent collection of the Art Students League of New York. There was a feature article about his work, Alive with Paint, in the October 2013 issue of The Artist magazine and in Stratton magazine’s Winter 2009 – 2010 issue an article titled Give Me the Colors discussed the work of both Thomas and Elizabeth Torak.