Michael McFadden is an artist who lives and works on the banks of the Musconetcong River in Hampton, and it is the river that gives him much of his inspiration. His work abstracts, re-imagines and transforms poignant moments from the river environment.

“The images in my paintings are meant to evoke emotions and memory,” McFadden said. “My response to places and events motivates me to re-imagine them in poignant images. The riverside environment where I work often provides inspiration. I also re-imagine traditional themes, like a jazz musician playing standards.”

Several representative paintings of his are currently on exhibit at Warren County Community College, Route 57, Washington. The exhibit runs through the end of September and is open to the public during regular college hours. The WCCC Art Gallery is located on the second floor.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, McFadden studied at Carleton College, Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin where he received his MFA in 1978. In 1978 he established an art studio in the Tribeca area of New York City. In 1987 he moved his studio to western New Jersey. McFadden and his wife Doris Ettlinger, a children’s book illustrator, live in a 150 year old grist mill where they also have their studios.

McFadden constructs his paintings from an abstract vocabulary of marks and shapes. His color harmonies and calligraphic brush strokes result in graphic, high contrast images that engage the viewer through personal association.

“I use sketches and drawings to develop themes, but the final image in my painting is discovered during the process of its construction,” he said. “Using ink and watercolor on rice paper fragments, I build a vocabulary of abstract parts in a variety of sizes and shapes. I then use the parts to construct images and compositions. During this process I cultivate improvisation and accidental discovery. As the parts are glued in place they provide structure for the painting.”

For more information about art programs at WCCC, or for directions and other information, visit www.warren.edu.