Realism and impressionism has been misunderstood through most of the twentieth century as an art of simulation. In truth, when practiced by a painter like Stephen Bergstrom, painting is a powerful creative influence. Bergstrom's skill lies in his ability to enhance and romanticize his subject. With a highly sensitive eye, he sees nuances of value and hue that the camera and most people can not see. More astonishingly, he is able to translate his highly perceptual vision into a thick painterly image. Bergstrom's subjects are a confidence in his imaged world of paint and creativity. Seeing one of his paintings involves entering into the vivid world he has created. Like all great artists, he has the ability to generate powerful new images from real places the world has never seen.

I have had the opportunity to watch Bergstrom paint on a several occasions. The experience is both invigorating and exciting. Bergstrom begins his paintings with a ebauche, French: meaning blank or outline or "sketch". A highly evolved underpainting, he can spend days essentially creating and establishing the mood. His paintings are based on real places he has visited. He then sketches the underpainting in a thin oil wash. A detailed oil sketch with full color to capture the desired hue and value. In reality most would think its a finished work. At this stage he brings to life in thick marbled oil paint a play of intense light and varying color shadows.

In finishing the canvas surface, gradually adds thick marbled brush strokes of color that creates detail and depth to define the focal areas. Stephen takes certain areas to a soft or hard focus to create the effect of depth and impressionism at the same time. The interaction of defined and painterly brush strokes bring the canvas alive, revealing a unique style in his work. This is a true artist of the new generation and how he exemplifies the qualities of impressionism, realism and romanticism at the same time is phenomenal...

EDUCATION
Art Institute of Seattle 1986-88
Italiano Artista, Venezia Italia 1989-90

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
“By The Sea” 2007 Gibson Gallery, Carmel, CA

“Group Exhibition” May, 2006 Proud Fox Gallery Geneva, IL

“Art on Melrose” April 5th 2005 Larry Smith Fine Art, Hollywood, CA

“Seattle Fine Art” 2004, Kenneth Beam Gallery, Seattle WA

“Solo Exhibition”, July 10th, 2003 Gibson Galleries, Carmel, CA
Painting Demonstration in Gallery.

“Portland Emerging Artist” 2003, Zado Gallery Portland, OR
Painting Demonstration in Gallery.

“Inspiration” June 3rd 2003 Reflections Gallery, San Juan Capistrano, CA

“Group Exhibition” Bel Air Gallery Bournemouth, England

“Bougainvillea” September 2002, Lori Gallery Los Angeles, CA

“Art Collections” March 16th, 2002 Progressive art, Harwich, MA

“Group Exhibition” 2001 Collector Fine Art Gallery Kona, HI

“Group Exhibition”, November, 2001 Chasen Galleries, Richmond, VA

“On Location” 2001, Coast Gallery, Luguna Beach, CA

“Art in The Valley” 2000, Kavanaugh Art Gallery Des Moines, Iowa

“Gardens of the World”, June 11th, 2000 Collectors Fine Art, Kauai, HI

“American Artist” 1999 Lotton Gallery Chicago, Il

“Pacific Grove”, October, 1999 Nash Gallery, Carmel, CA
Painting Demonstration at Gallery.

“Emerging Artist” 1998 Phoenix Art Group, Phoenix, AZ

“Beauty of Sanora” August 14th 1997 Wyland Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

“Group Exhibition” 1996 Gallery of the South West, Scottsdale, AZ

“Desert Artist” 1995 Alwun House Gallery, Phoenix, AZ

AWARDS
“Boise Art Museum” Certificate of Recognition, 2007
“Art on the Green” Award of Distinction, 2006
“Northwest Painters", Showcase of Artist 2002
“Frye Art Museum“, Finalists in Landscape 1995
“Art Institute of Seattle” 1988 Competitions 2nd place in Life Drawing
“Washington State Regional Art Show” 1985, “Best of Show”

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
“Plein Air Workshop“, Sauvie Island, OR April 2008
“Chang Mai, Thailand, Painting Demonstration
Four Seasons Hotel” October 2007
Bergstrom Atelier” Student and Professional Training
Portland, OR 2003-Present
“Florence, Italy Painting Demonstration“, October 2003
“International Interior Design Association”
Portland, OR Lecture 2003
“Art Expo New York” Painting Demonstration,
New York City, NY 2002

MOVIE CREDITS
“Singles” 1992 directed by Cameron Crowe. Starring Kyra Sedgwick, and Matt Dillon.
Art and Design interior club scene, 1991
“Dead Man” 1995 Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, Stars Johnny Depp.
Art, Design and extra's actor 1994.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
KREM News Channel 4 Spokane WA, Interview 2008
Molly O’Brien, KVEW TV, Richland WA Interview 2008
Brooks Male “Art World News” New Art Stephen Bergstrom 2007
Ivana, Polyvore Magazine, Reviews "Le Des Bonniex" by Stephen Bergstrom
Amy Leibrock “Art Business News” Marco Fine Arts Signs Stephen Bergstrom 2002
Richard Daley “Robb Report” Meet Artist Stephen Bergstrom May 2000
Beth Crittenden “The Achiever Magazine” Cover Painting 1990

COLLECTION
Jack Nicholson, Malibu CA
Oakley, Lake Forest CA
Bent clothing, Phoenix AZ
Boeing Company, Seattle WA
Washington Mutual, Seattle WA
Intel, Santa Clara CA
Microsoft, Redmond WA
Starbucks, Seattle WA
United Chambers Insured Plans, Bellevue WA
The Paper Company, Seattle, WA
P.F. Industries Kirkland, WA

FINE ART PUBLISHERS
Bellecci Gibson Publishing, Limited Edition Giclee 2003
Bentley Publishing Group, Lithography 2002 - Present
Marco Fine Arts, Limited Edition Giclee 2002
Collectors Editions, Limited Edition Giclee 1999

REFERENCES
Gayle Gibson, Gibson Galleries Carmel, CA
Julie Luke, Reflections Gallery, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barry Davis, Progressive Art Originals, Harwich, Mass