Howard Behrens to hold last gallery exhibition in Stone Harbor

'The Boats at Almafi' After an astounding 25 year career as America's foremost palette-knife artist, Howard Behrens will hold his last gallery exhibition in South Jersey over Labor Day weekend.

Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, was selected for this historic final gallery show, which will feature a retrospect of Behrens' Impressionistic artwork.

"Farewell to a Master: A Retrospective Look at 25 Years of Extraordinary Art" opens on Friday, Aug. 29, and runs through Monday, Sept. 1. Behrens will be on hand during weekend receptions in his honor at Ocean Galleries on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Behrens actually was raised in Washington, DC. He turned to painting to pass the time when, at 17 years, he was bedridden after breaking his leg in a sledding accident. With this artistic passion stirred, Howard went on to study art and receive his Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland (UMD). Originally determined to study medical illustration, he went to John Hopkins University, but later returned to UMD to receive his Masters degree in painting and sculpture. He then went to work for a government printing office in DC for the next 20 years, 10 of which he served as chief artist.

Although he continued to paint and sculpt as a pastime, it wasn't until 1980 that his growing passion led Howard to hold an exhibition of his works. His first one-man show was held at the Phillips Gallery in West Palm Beach, FL. Since then, Behrens has exhibited extensively around the country and his famed artwork is now included in private and corporate collections in the United States and Europe.

Behrens is characterized as energetic and enthusiastic with an optimistic outlook and his artwork is said to exude similar characteristics. Using only a palette-knife for its boldness and control, Behrens' paintings are distinctively textured and brilliantly illuminated. Focusing on land and seascapes from the many coastal regions to which he has traveled over the years, the paintings evoke memories of romantic interludes in exotic settings, often encompassing familiar architecture and promenades.

"I only paint the places I've actually been to...the beaches, the mountains... places that are a part of my life," said Behrens, "such as the Italian and French Rivieras, the Mediterranean, Lake Como, and San Francisco." In each of his paintings, the viewer is transported directly into the heart of the locale through an immediacy in technique and explicit perspective.

The exhibition will feature his recently released "Tribute to Monet" collection as well as a giclée on canvas from the series, "A Tribute to Monet - Pond in Bloom," created specifically for this event and to be unveiled at the show. Pre-sales of this giclée are available at Ocean Galleries. As with all of the artwork purchased at the exhibition, Howard will remarque and dedicate each pre-sold piece during the event, with professional photography available to capture the moment with the legendary artist.

The exhibition will feature more than 100 pieces of artwork, with his contemporary, Impressionistic paintings from as early as his college years to his very first palette-knife painting and all the way through his amazing career.

Ocean Galleries is open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily during the summer season. For more information or for directions, call 368- 7777 or visit www.oceangalleries.com.