Artist Statement
Most of my current work consists of still lifes, which I approach in a distinctly direct way. I focus on the object itself—often isolated and free from the distraction of background or environment. This deliberate simplicity places more visual and conceptual weight on the subject, encouraging closer observation and study.
My paintings employ a degree of realism, though they are neither hyperrealistic nor photorealistic. It’s important to me that the viewer sees the presence of the artist’s hand in the work. I’m always seeking contrast—whether in scale, texture, color, subject matter, or the quiet imprint of time on an isolated object.
Bio
Ralph Frisina is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and a juried member of the Rockport Art Association. He has studied under renowned designer Milton Glaser at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Frisina’s work has received numerous accolades, including Best in Show at the Berkshire Museum's Visual Evidence exhibition, featuring over 50 artists. He was awarded the Jackie Harrington Award for Excellence in Painting by RAA&M in 2022, and the Chipp Davis Wells & Amee B. Davis Memorial Award for Excellence in Painting in 2024. His forthcoming solo exhibition at the Berkshire Museum is scheduled for summer 2026.
Résumé
Ralph Frisina, a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, co-founded a design firm in Lenox, Massachusetts, whose clients included the Clark Art Institute, Tanglewood, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. His design and illustration work has earned numerous awards and been featured in publications such as The New York Times and Print Magazine. Frisina also studied with Milton Glaser at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where Glaser’s philosophy left a lasting impact on his artistic vision.
Note: All attached images are oil on canvas, except for the Horseshoe Crab, which is hand-sculpted earthenware finished with a red-brown glaze.
Ways to contact the artist
Website: ralphfrisina.com
Instagram: @frisinagallery
Email the artist
Studio Location: Otis MA
