Though landscapes are not his most common subject for paintings, Chuck Rosenthal excels. From Clearwater, Florida, the artist more often paints people and still life, but his landscapes are definitely worth seeing.

Most noticeable in his landscapes are the contrast of glowing colors, oranges and yellows, against peaceful rural scenes. He paints scenes in Florida, areas known to him. The yellows and oranges against the buildings and flora definitely show the Florida sun, although the actual sun is not in the paintings. Any of them would brighten a room.

“Bellaire Beach” is a painting not actually of a beach, but of a glowing stately Bellaire home possibly as seen from the beach. The home is a typical Florida villa type of architecture, with perfect landscaping, grasses and palms. What makes the painting enchanting is the reflection of the light on the building - those radiant shades of orange and yellow.

Not a common subject for a landscape painting, “Florida Waterworld” shows wetlands with a big white house in the background. Even the grasses growing in the wetlands reflect that glorious Florida sun. Although most people would not think of such a marshy, boggy land as a place they would wish to paint, Rosenthal makes it appealing and a place you would want to visit.

“Houses on the Marshland” also depicts wetlands with white houses in the background. Again the shimmering oranges and yellows make this painting a showpiece.

“Water’s Edge” shows a reflective lake, autumn trees and again, white houses in the background near the edge of the lake. The colors again mirror the sun. The composition of this painting puts forward the beauty of nature, leaving the creations of man (the houses) in the background.

When you look at a painting, do you ever wonder what the artist was thinking when he painted that artwork? Consider perhaps that the artist wonders what you are thinking when you view the painting. Unless you can talk to the artist in person and ask him, you will never know what he was thinking. The artist paints the picture, and puts it out there and invites the viewer to contribute to the painting with your own thoughts and ideas.

What does the painting make you think of? What can you imagine when you look at that house in Bellaire Beach, or the houses at “Water’s Edge”? The mark of a great painter is that he invites you, the viewer, into the painting, and accepts your contribution to the artwork.

See the On The Gulf and the fine art of Chuck Rosenthal at the gallery.