Artist Dopico-Lerner At St. Thomas University Sardinas Gallery

The artist has exhibited his highly complex paintings and drawings throughout the United States. His work has been awarded several national prizes and is in major international museums. Using a palette of rich jewel colors combined with the strength of black lines, Dopico-Lerner creates intricate, detailed semi-abstract paintings. While recognizing an image in his work, the viewer becomes transported to a more non-objective experience. The weaving and over-lapping subtle shadows produce complex, intriguing images that are hard to describe.

“They draw you in; they make you want to look; they make you want to question,” says Gallery Director Gail Casale.

Dopico’s paintings start from his own personal emotions, which take the form of rapid, controlled spontaneity that produces a freshness that is dominant in his work. Memories of life, past experiences and creativity find their way onto the canvas. The images are intricate and not easy to read, except for the ubiquitous women that appear in most of his work. Loose, flowing lines encompass a face, a body, or a fish, embracing the image with subtle yet strong artistic scribbles. There’s a “messiness” to his process but that messiness is so carefully executed it becomes the most important part of his work. Surrounding and framing the images, the controlled lines bring his message to life. Stemming from the artist’s emotions, they are his painting’s’ hallmark.