Manfred Von Pentz
I am an oil painter of symbolic and partially surreal paintings, preferring a classical technique of painting in multiple layers. Also an active and enthusiastic music composer, I first began painting in late 2004. I am self-taught and still learning.

I prefer the classical technique of painting in multiple layers because I think that pictures look better when painted in this way and the quality of the result should be paramount. The quality of the idea and content (the soul) of a painting is most important, but the body and appearance is important too and a great work must excell in concept and execution. I aim to produce only great paintings, and one sad day perhaps I will.

I think the key to creativity is a balance between the conscious and sub-conscious mind. Surreal images are funny, dark, joyous, deep, and everything else that life is because the brain itself operates on such images, efficiently conveying and processing complex ideas as pictures. Sub-conscious images on their own however are unguided and often samey, so I think the intellect should lend a hand. I start with emotion and go from there. A good painting should be evocative and unforgettable, and beautiful. Death to the ugly; a beautiful death.
www.manfredvonpentz.com