Artist Bio: Bob Moskowitz

Bob Moskowitz is the chairman of the art department at Ventura College. In his teaching and in his own work, he stresses the importance of mastering the fundamentals, of not taking short-cuts. His colleagues describe him as a superb portraitist and fine colorist. Moskowitz’ works bring us fully-realized figures caught in the act of being human, whether it be young boys relaxing on a sofa or a Dominican friar, uncertain of his vocation, being protected and counseled by his brothers. The viewer is drawn into the subject’s world and wants to know more. We want to have a conversation with the young man who sits in a beach chair, drinking a can of beer, a Dominican’s cassock standing, paper-doll-like, in front of him. Is he questioning his past or contemplating his future?

Although considered primarily a figurative painter, Moskowitz brings to brilliant life a southwestern landscape, dramatically shadowed by storm clouds. Outgrowths of his teaching career are the European tours he and his wife Marjorie lead each year with his students.