Former special effects man shares journey in his art
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers DARK DRAMA- Randy Bauer paints primarily in oils, creating an atmosphere theatrical yet ambiguous. His new exhibition will include the series "Fortunes of Age" which expresses how aging affects the human condition. "My art is dramatic," Bauer says. "Sometimes my imagery is kind of dark."

For Colorado-born Randy Bauer, self-discovery has marked his journey as an artist. His paintings are narrative, inspired by public issues as well as private experiences.

"The theme might be a personal experience or event or things that go on in the world. You always start thinking about what is the meaning of everything that happens," said the 50-year-old Simi resident. "It's a message of the human condition that I translate into my art."

Bauer is one of six artists who will be featured in a show at the Canoga Park Youth Art Center from June 23 to July 7. An opening reception will be held Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

Painting primarily in oils, Bauer uses dark earth colors and grays with active areas of light to create a theatrical atmosphere. His featured paintings will include a series called the "Fortunes of Age," which expresses how the human condition is affected by aging.

"My art is dramatic- sometimes my imagery is kind of dark," he said.

Bauer and his wife, Nicki, have lived in Simi Valley since 1996. Like his dad, the couple's son, Cameron, 9, a student at Knolls Elementary School, enjoys creating art.

As a child Bauer's drawings often featured the characters Batman and Robin.

"I always liked to draw and I became really fascinated with comic books," he said. "I grew up in the golden age when comic book artists were working. I liked to copy the characters from the comic books."

Bauer pursued his interest in art at the University of Northern Colorado and currently takes art classes at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.

"It gives me a chance to interact with other artists," he said.

Working at an advanced level in the class, Bauer mentors younger students while exploring his own interests.

"Randy has both the technical as well as the creative aspects for what it takes to be an artist," said Constance Kocs, vice chair of the art department at Pierce. "His work is narrative so there's always a story behind it."

Bauer paints with oils and acrylics on large canvases, working every day and averaging two paintings a month, he said.

There are familiar visuals in his creations, but his goal is to leave the interpretation up to the viewer.

"What I'm trying to do is tell a story, but I don't want to beat the viewer over the head with it," Bauer said. "I have a theme or subject I work on but I try to make it ambiguous."

Bauer started out working in TV as an art director creating commercials and news graphics. Later he worked for a video production company on industrial, educational and commercial videos. He has created special effects for such films like "Training Day" and "Stargate." After 20 years in the entertainment industry, he now helps Nicki run Echo Tech Imagining, a diagnostic imaging company in Simi Valley.

According to Bauer, working locally allows him the freedom to spend time with his family and pursue his passion for art.

"It gets in your blood. I've always done creative art even though I spent years doing commercial art," Bauer said. "My goal is to continue painting. Eventually I hope to get presentation in a gallery to show my work."