Eugene J. Pentz
was born in Hungary in 1947. He began his artistic career as a
master woodcarver and sculptor with his father. A three year
apprenticeship in Budapest, studying under the leading Hungarian
master carvers refined his carving talents, meanwhile attending a
fine arts school. In his spare time he developed skills using
the medium of oils. pastels and watercolours.
After
touring Europe he and his wife immigrated to Canada, settling in
Toronto in 1970. He was able to work as a woodcarver while
learning English at night. As finances allowed, Eugene
purchased canvas, paints and brushes and returned to his longtime
passion to create paintings. When he moved to British Columbia
his deep feelings for the Rockies and the wildlife gave him special
inspiration. The works of the great wildlife artists, Bateman,
Parker, Doolittle and Lester, gave Eugene special inspiration while
he retained his own unique perspective. Remembering his
childhood sensations when star-gazing and his continuing study of
astronomy, he developed new ideas about the origin of man and all
living things - the idea of the “Cosmic Series” was born.
In 1973 Eugene and his family moved to Vancouver where, for three
years he contracted to custom carve a staircase and dining room set
for a West Vancouver resident. After that they returned to the
BC interior, settling in Invermere in the heart of the Rockies where
Eugene was able to turn to his years long dream of creating the
“Cosmic Series”. Within 14 months he had completed
nine pieces of this most fascinating project.
“It
took 35 years to harvest my childhood imagination.” says
Eugene, “Like a puzzle of incomplete vision, I conceived by
using my imagination and the gift of my artistic talent. I am
not sure how many pieces are missing to complete the subject. I
often wonder where this subject matter will take me. It seems
as endless as the universe itself. We all have a reason to be
here, just listen to our inner abilities and we will find a
purpose to be on this wonderful plant - Earth.”
In
1998 Eugene re-located to Chemainus, Vancouver Island, BC, where he
is surrounded by the world-famous murals which are visited by several
hundred thousand annually from around the globe.
Eugene
has had many group and individual exhibitions since coming to
Canada. His original paintings, limited and open edition
prints, ornamental carvings and sculptures can be found all over the
world in private homes and in major corporations such as Euro-Disney,
in Paris, France. Now the click
of the mouse and the latest technical communication advances
bring Eugene's work to millions of viewers. Thus, opportunity
and circumstances have made Eugene and his work more accessible to
the world.
FOR MORE WORK BY EUGENE J. PENTZ GO TO:
http://www.westsidecarving.ca
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