Randy Abdal

Randy taught at Swain School of Design, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island as well as the Public School Systems in Massachusetts and New York City.

He is currently living and working in New York City where he has been painting representational images. The subject of most of my recent paintings has been lower Manhattan. "The neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, Soho, and Tribeca especially evoke feelings of nostalgia for me. Although the first half of my life was spent in Massachusetts, there is something about certain areas of New York that intrigues me and is reminiscent of images real, imagined, or dreamed from my past."

"My aim is to capture a moment in time. I construct each painting so the viewer can stand in my footsteps and see the subject matter through a very intimate space. My images are similar to what people see in their peripheral vision as they walk down the street but may never take the time to appreciate. I give the viewer a chance to stand on the sidewalk and fully enjoy the play of light over form on such mundane subjects as a cigar store, a bakery, or any of the many interesting places we hurriedly pass by as we rush to get to our destinations."

"I have always been inspired by the unique blend of architectural styles that makes up downtown New York and has withstood the test of time. I will continue to scour the area to find, isolate, and capture images that preserve the feeling of nostalgia that I find so precious and endearing."

EDUCATION:

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN - Providence, RI Masters Degree. - 1980s
SWAIN SCHOOL OF DESIGN - New Bedford, MA
Bachelor of Fine Art Degree - 1970s