By Diana Marroquin

     Don't be fooled by Bob Magneson's easy-going manner, he reserves his intensity for his paintings.  Magneson's trademark is his use of color and brush stroke.  Based on an impressionist style, his paintings are vivid, colorful palettes of contrast, light, and illusion of detail.  Last year he won the Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival Poster contest and he did it again this year.

     "This year's poster," stated Magneson, 'was my...approach to making a light-hearted landscape.  I thought it fit well with this year's Art and Wine Festival.  It's titled 'A Walk in the Park'."

     The painting is a light- hearted aerial view of

 Central Park, site of the Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival.  It features a rich mix of green landscape highlighted by the contrasting reds of the park pavilion.  The resulting combination captures your sight and rivets your eye to the exaggerated pavilion.

     "I work with contrasting complimentary colors," said Magneson, "for example, when I'm painting a green tree, I make sure I have red in it.  The red makes the green more intense.  Then I'll exaggerate the color and size of objects in the painting.

     An average painting takes him approximately six hours to complete.  the first few hours are typically spent bringing the scene to life on canvas, while the next few hours are used

tightening up the composition of the scene.

     Ironically, although he finishes his paintings in one sitting, Magneson doesn't consider them done until he sells them.  His artist's eye constantly scans the painting, detecting features that, in his eye, call for improvement.

     Born and raised in the Bay Area, Magneson has been an artist for over 30 years.  A former graphic designer for FMC, he ventured into consulting and contracting when he'd had enough of the corporate world.  Armed only with the knowledge that he wanted to grow as an artist, Magneson quit FMC.  One month later, with the help he says of a "very supportive wife" he was freelancing for an

 advertising agency.

     Magneson enjoys talking about art and his relationship with it.  The act of composing art creates a psychological and emotional process.  There are moments of ease and fluidity, when colors and forms leap from Magneson's brushes.  Then there are moments of internal strife when he struggles, and questions his painting.  Yet, it's the process, difficult or easy, that results in growth.  For Magneson, that's part of the adventure.  It's his raison d'etre.  It colors his world and lends meaning to his work.