Don Sahli

Art Brokerage: Don Sahli American Artist: Don Sahli made the decision to become a professional artist at a very early age. By age 16, he was selling his work and by 18, Sahli was exhibiting as an established painter. In 1982, he became friends with Sergei Bongart. Sahli began his formal art education at the University of Texas in Austin. A year later, he met Sergei Bongart, the famous Russian colorist. At Bongart’s invitation, Sahli followed him to California and became his last apprentice. He remained with the Russian for three years, until Bongart’s death in 1985. Sahli was the last scholarship student and apprentice of Sergei Bongart. During this period with his mentor, Sahli was taught an academic approach. Sahli’s work is currently represented in galleries around the country. As a painter, Sahli travels throughout the country painting the landscape. When painting en plein air, Sahli works on at least a 16 x 20 canvas, and in the studio he works on canvases of 3.5 x 7 ft. and larger. Don Sahli creates his images with the dramatic and subtle use of color. The viewer's eye sees the vivid color and reacts to the color - each perception unique. Sahli's paintings are also filled with the contrasts of heavy textured brushstrokes to soft fluid washes. Instead of seeking a niche, finding something that is comfortable and familiar, and painting to that, Sahli endeavors to expand the possibilities. Yet, there is something that unites all the work - it is designed to create an emotional interaction between the viewer and the painted image. Listings wanted.