Artist Statement
I make work that trusts those three impulses.
Working primarily in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, I push familiar techniques into unfamiliar territory, letting chance, layered gesture, and deliberate mark-making collide. Some pieces begin as delicate washes that whisper; others arrive as bold, saturated fields that demand attention. Across scales and surfaces I pursue a single aim: to translate emotion into form and color so that an idea becomes something you feel in your chest.
My process is investigative and responsive. I test pigments, collage fragments of memory, and rework passages until the composition answers back. The resulting images are part map, part experiment,narratives held together by rhythm, contrast, and weight. I want my work to provoke questions rather than provide answers: to invite a double-take, a long look, and, finally, a personal conversation between viewer and piece.
The lineage I honour ranges from Degas’ observational intensity to Kandinsky’s faith in color as language, from Duchamp’s provocation to Rockwell’s storytelling warmth. Those influences sharpen my appetite for risk while reminding me that generosity,of color, of gesture, of idea, is what allows provocation to become invitation.
I offer originals as singular experiences and creating prints as an accessible way to bring these experiments into everyday spaces. Whether you encounter an original or a limited-edition print, my hope is the same: that the work nudges you to see, to feel, and to risk looking twice.
Areas of Expertise:
- Color
- Composition
- Drawing
- Storytelling
Painting Style and Technique
I usually work flat, as I like to stand to paint. I do tilt the paper to better control larger washes, runs and pooling. When working larger paintings, like acrylics or mixed media, I work on the floor >
PaperI use a variety of papers, boards, watercolor blocks, but lately I been using "Arches 140 lb | 300 g/m2 | Cold Pressed (Grain Fin) 12x16 in, 100% cotton." I tend to work on several paintings at once, typically 3-5.
Color
I plan my color almost entirely by memory and stick to what is on my palette. I rarely change it up, but I also introduce inks and pre-mixed colors right into the painting. I also use a variety of household cleaning products, coffee grounds, salt, rice, and anything that adds to the work.
Value Distribution
I stick to three basic values, black, middle-tone, and light.
Planning
A vast majority of my paintings are not planned. And when they are, I start with a very light sketch and work the details with masking fluid, tape, and sheets of scrap paper. Unplanned paintings take a life of their own, and I work the problem when it is called for. I would say I spend 5% planning and 95% painting.
A typically landscape painting, 12 x 16 takes me about 3 hours, start to finish. I like to work quick, and if I can do a painting under an hour, it is usually a stronger painting. Paintings that are over-worked seem forced. (varies on subject)
My Watercolor Palette
I have been using this layout since my university days. I used everything from old butcher trays to cheap mixing palettes to individual mixing containers for more complex spills and controlled pours.
Currently, I'm going back to my old school palette, the John Pike Palette. The "Pike" palette is by far the best one I have used and gives me a good range of mixing areas.
The cover also is used for a mixing area and can be propped up for draining paint to the lower area. I double-up Thalo Green and Payne's Gray and leave an empty compartment under Burnt Umber. The free mix area is where the real color experiments happen, this is always changing and shifting.
Exhibition Bio
Jeff Bruzdzinski (BFA, Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts) is a painter and illustrator working in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media. Syracuse-born and Santiago de Compostela‑based artist digs into the mundane scenes of our lives to uncover the surreal and absurd.
A graduate of Syracuse’s Illustration program, he trained with Murray Tinkleman, Bob Dacey, John Thompson, Roger DeMuth, and Jerome Witkin. His practice explores bold ideas through color, composition, and narrative-driven drawing.
Jeff’s work draws on a broad visual lineage, Degas, Duchamp, Dali, Ernst, Kandinsky, Rockwell, Klimt, Schiele, Pike, Homer, Matisse, and Chagall, blending experimentation with a clear commitment to storytelling.
Driven by a practice that balances precision and intuition, Jeff Bruzdzinski elevates organizational communications through strategic design, storytelling, and hands‑on creative leadership.
Art Exhibitions
Galleries, Wineries and More
"Old and New Works - Watercolors, Acrylic, and Multimedia"
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm, Gainesville, Virginia
2023: March 1 – December 1 2023
This art show features a curated collection of modernist paintings from Flatlands in landscapes, showcasing a unique blend of watercolor, acrylic, and multimedia works. With a theme of "Old and New Works", viewers will experience an exciting mix of both traditional and contemporary art.
"Watercolors"
ARTfactory, Manasas Virginia
2019: April 24th – April 25th
Historic Manassas, Inc. 9431 West St, Old Town Manassas, VA. From Visitmanassas.org: One Love: Art & Music Festival is a 2-day event that connects artists and the community through performances, workshops and exhibits.
"Elusive Horizons"
Barrel Oak Winery, Delaplane Virginia
2019: March 11th – May 8th
This art show showcases modernism in landscapes through watercolor paintings that explore the theme of "Elusive Horizons". Immerse yourself in the dreamy, while also reflecting on the beauty of nature. Each piece is a unique exploration of emotion and imagination, creating an unforgettable experience.
"Traversing Virginia"
Narmada Winery, Amissville Virginia
2018: April 28th – May 8th
This art show, "Traversing Virginia", features modernist watercolor paintings that capture the beauty of Virginia from the ocean to the mountains. Each painting captures the unique landscapes and experiences of the state, ranging from the coastline to rolling hills, rivers, and forests. Paintings are both representational and abstract, reflecting the diversity of the state's people, history, and culture. The show celebrates the beauty of Virginia and brings together a diverse array of styles, techniques, and perspectives.
Sorry you missed these shows. I'm in the studio creating new art. Stay tuned for upcoming shows.
"Inhibitions of Mindless Accumulation of Subjects"
By Jeff BruzdzinskiCurrently housed at the Taube Museum of Art - Mission: Enriching Lives Through the Visual Arts
