Following the post-secondary schooling, my greatest push in development or inspiration was seeing the works from the Russian Hermitage collection. They inspired me. The skill of the artist's brushstrokes, the bold layers of paint and the well-orchestrated compositions were prolific. Viewing a Repin painting, one could feel the blood run through the figure in the painting, which led me to sit for hours and marvel at the talent of the artist. After returning to Edmonton, I felt cheated by some Art Schools disregarding academic techniques. I knew my job was to teach others the skills and techniques I had acquired, towards classical realism and naturalism. My own works of art focus on creating mood & drama using romantic brushstrokes of the Old Masters.
Travel Teaching Schedule 2023
Gene will be teaching figurative and portraiture methods. He teaches extensively throughout the world, including Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kelowna, British Columbia; Prince George, British Columbia and Quesnel, British Columbia. For information on these Workshops please contact Gene Prokop at (780)486-6661.