"Setting Moon" is an original oil painting on wood by Robert Richter. The artist signed, titled, and dated the piece in pencil on the back of the piece. This artwork features a bright moon setting behind deep green trees at night. The artist hand-carved the frame to become an integral part of the artwork.

Artwork Size: 23" x 28 1/4"
Frame Size: 30" x 35 1/4"

Artist's Statement: 
 

"I was born in Milwaukee over half-a-century ago in the year of the horse.  I started painting in earnest when I was eight years old.  My parents saw that it might be nice for me to take some art lessons.  I spent Saturdays in those days drawing Superman and Batman (Batwoman too, Ha!) from comic books.  My formative brain was stamped with the creedo that one cannot make a decent painting without making a decent drawing.  To this day it is a self-imposed limitation (?) that opens my world.  Later I would graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and then off to New York City with a Fine Art degree.  

I painted store front windows, speak easy murals for gangsters, lithographs from aluminum plates for actors, wood paintings for funk musicians, stage sets for theatre, T-shirts, costumes, curtains, wall hangings, furniture, floors-  I painted everything, literally.  Years later in a distant city, I received a Masters degree in Contemplative Buddhist Studies.

I draw and paint from memory.  When I am satisfied with a drawing, I incise it on wood panel.  I color it in not too unlike a coloring book, staying pretty much within the lines.  It keeps me from getting too carried away.  It is a forgiving technique. I do not use photographs.  I try to paint the snapshot in my head and heart. Another little thing I like to do is incorporate the sensations of many colors in a single application.  A black top road for instance is noted for its peach, lavender, smoky gray yellow and dry blue- to create the sensation of all these colors in a single application.  Now that would be some crayola crayon!  Another painter once remarked to me, "Why bother".  And here is why.  I want my paintings to be stunning from across the room, to beckon, as all good paintings should.  And then up close, what a surprise! So simply done!  Even a cave man can do it!

I am pleased and honored to be currently represented by David Barnett.
2009"