Mr. Baran has been painting for over 40 years. He sold his first painting at the age of 18 for $100. Today, he is recognized as one of the most accomplished plein air painters in the Mid-Atlantic. His discipline and dedication to the art of painting has earned him critical success and admiration from many colleagues and students. In addition to competing in Mid-Atlantic plein air painting events, he’s also competed in painting events from Wisconsin to Italy, as well as the international event, Art in the Open, held annually in Wexford, Ireland.
His signature style showcases quick, broad brush strokes that captures rapidly changing lights, colors and tones of the outdoors. Mr. Baran is considered a traditional, impressionistic landscape and portrait painter whose work has been compared to John Sloan and other Ashcan artists of the early 20th century. His recent work has taken on a new sense of urgency with emphasis on color and light.
Mr. Baran was introduced to painting in seventh grade at Holabird Junior High in Baltimore. His talent was recognized early and he was encouraged by faculty in both junior high and high school. Attending the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), he enrolled in course work under the direction of Raoul Middleman as well as Leonard Bahr, Joseph Sheppard, Paul Mascott, Dan Dudrow, Phil Koch, Barry Nemett, Michael Economos, Abbie Sangiamo and with Wolf Kahn in Bennington Vermont in the early 90’s. Mr. Baran describes Mr. Middleman as the “… most influential of his instructors.” Graduating cum laude from MICA, Mr. Baran found himself in the classroom, teaching art in Baltimore County Schools for thirty-two years. When he retired in 2008, he went to work part-time at John Carroll High School in Harford County. At about the same time he began his career as a plein air painter.
Mr. Baran serves as Chairman of the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painter’s Association. (MAPAPA) He’s also active in the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Audrey live in Baltimore County.
— Thomas Riticie
Contact
gallery@manor-mill.com
Instagram: @manormillgallery