Samuel Hoffman’s painting, “New York Skyline.”

By Darla McCammon, Guest Columnist

This week’s column will introduce featured artist Samuel Hoffman who will be displaying his work at the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery beginning on July 6.

Hoffman’s interest in the arts began at a young age. After graduating from high school, Hoffman enlisted in the US Navy and spent the next ten years traveling the world as a naval photographer with the title of Photographer’s Mate.

After returning to Indiana, Hoffman attended Indiana University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 1990 following graduation, Hoffman began working as a photojournalist for the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette and remained with the Journal Gazette for the next 27 years.

In 2004, Hoffman became interested in painting, and began painting with oil in a style that he refers to as “modern realism in a classic tradition,” and creates paintings of people and places and sand and surf. (https://stillwaterfineart.com/about)

Hoffman’s experience as a photographer in the Navy and as a photojournalist enabled him to develop a keen insight into composition, along with an eye for the truth and a penchant for uncovering the hidden details in a story.

Hoffman’s focus when creating artwork is to translate his passion for detail and realism from the digital world into fine art oil paintings.

For the painting titled “Windows 5000,” (see image included) Hoffman researched the history of the New York skyline and created a composite of 3-5 images in Photoshop.

He added interesting historical details from around 1905 to the 24” x 48” piece, such as the period steamboat moving through the Hudson River in the foreground.

There are whimsical details in the painting, such as the name of a family cat, reference to a family name, and a piano on the roof of a building. If you can’t find the details, Hoffman can show you where they are located when you visit his show.

A lot of work by the artist goes into each painting prior to actually creating each piece and it shows in the high quality of Hoffman’s artwork.

He pays attention to detail to create authenticity, but also to create interesting and unique paintings.

Hoffman’s paintings have won numerous awards and have been displayed in museums and galleries around the country, including the Ft. Wayne Museum of Art, the National Naval Aviation Museum and the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

He is a member of both the Hoosier Salon and the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society.

For more information on Hoffman, go to www.stillwaterfineart.com.

Events

The Heartland Artists Gallery: 9th Annual ARTS in the Streets Festival. Artists, artisans, and creatives are invited to join in this one-day festival celebrating the ARTS in downtown Plymouth Saturday, July 29.

The festival’s webpage is located at heartlandartgallery.com. For more information, email Anna at [email protected] or call (574) 316-0264.

Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart: The museum is proud to present the exhibition America The Beautiful by American Master Photographer Clyde Butcher.

His extraordinary work will be available for viewing through July 16.

The museum is open Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends 1– 4 p.m. The museum is located at 429 S. Main Street in Elkhart. Admission is $10. For more information, call (574) 293-6660.

Lakeland Art Center & Gallery (LAA): The current juried show of local artwork runs through July 22.

Gallery hours are 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and admission is free.

The gallery is located at 302 E. Winona Avenue in Warsaw.

For more information, email [email protected].

Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery: Artist Sam Hoffman will be bringing his delightful artwork to the Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery beginning July 6.

You are going to want to visit and enjoy this talent.

Warsaw City Hall is located at 102 S. Buffalo Street in Warsaw.

The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Admission is free.

To exhibit at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery, contact Darla McCammon, curator, at (574) 527-4044 (please leave a message) or email [email protected].

To subscribe: Please send your email address to [email protected].