Abstract painter Robert Standish is drawn to the light.
He strives to bring energy to his original artworks and positivity to patrons. Using brushes and palette knives, he explores bright colors, bold gestures and a “visceral surface terrain,” he said.
Standish’s solo exhibition, “Energy Orchestration,” runs through Monday, May 20, at Martin Lawrence Gallery La Jolla, 1152 Prospect Street, La Jolla.
“I’ve been working with Martin Lawrence Galleries for a little more than five years,” he said.
“They managed to get me out to their different galleries. I’ve worked with a lot of galleries, art consultants. It’s not that I haven’t had great experiences. Overall, the level of support from the top has been incredible. I always look forward to wherever they want me to have an exhibition. They have seven galleries. They lost one in the fire in Lahaina.”
Works by Standish, whose studio is in DTLA, can also be found in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, JP Morgan Chase, Weisman Foundation, Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH), Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Crocker Art Museum, Louis K. Meisel, Larry and Marilyn Fields, Patricia Arquette, Norwest Venture Partners and Bryant/Stibel.
Standish earned a degree in psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles.
Formerly a renowned photorealist painter, the South Pasadena resident became inspired by the spontaneity of abstract expressionism, the transcendence of abstract spiritualism, and the nuances and power of color field painting.
He followed the urge to go for something looser in his work and has since focused on abstraction.
“Fourteen years ago, a feeling overwhelmed me to paint differently from the ego-driven and deliberate style of my photorealism paintings,” Standish said.
“My abstract paintings are motivated by and focused on energetically uplifting, spontaneous and transcendent compositions, featuring random rhythmic color bursts, abundant paint and, most importantly, a request for Divine guidance.”
He tries his best not to replicate a previous work. That happens organically.
Standish said it’s not difficult to sell his artwork. He passes no judgment on those who feel an extreme personal attachment to their paintings.
“I feel that, overall, an experienced painter, a confident painter, will know it’s not the last painting they’re going to make. That, ultimately, has a great impact on them personally or on others. When I do a painting, as much as I might love it, I’m very happy to get it out into the world quickly.”