SVEN WIDEN:

MEDIA: Sven works in most media, with an emphasis on watercolor in which he employs a variety of classical and experimental techniques.   Over the years he has practiced an extensive repertoire of printmaking techniques, including advanced stone lithography techniques and simultaneous color contrast technique in intaglio.

SUBJECT MATTER: Sven has always been inspired by Nature’s shapes and colors, and deals with this in the expression of Light.

 ABOUT THE ARTIST:
      Sven Widen was born in the town of Vastervik, on Sweden’s east coast, about 180 miles south of Stockholm.
     Sven did his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Lund, Sweden.  Many of his art studies took place in Gothenburg;  the School for Industrial Art & Design,  Kursverksamheten at  Goteborg University, Gustavus Primus Art School, Hovedskou Art School and Studio Litografik.
     Sven also received scholarships to several Juried Invitational Courses held at Artists’ Collective Studios in Hamburgsund, Goteborg and Vasteras, Sweden, where he studied advanced lithography and intaglio printmaking techniques.
     He moved to the United States in the early ‘90’s after meeting artist Lizzi Schippert.  They married in 1990 and reside in Island Heights, NJ.
     A career professional artist, Sven ‘s work was avidly collected in Sweden by private and corporate collectors.  His work hangs in many regional governmental collections (landsting) and town Cultural Departmental collections in various parts of Sweden. 
      Continuing in this country, Sven has added to his list of One-man exhibitions, as well as exhibiting  widely in group and invitational shows in the States.  His work hangs in many private and corporate collections.  
       His lithograph “Norse God” was used as the cover image for CHRYSALIS magazine, Nov., ’91; and Jersey Shore Vacation Magazine and Map included Sven’s watercolor “Going to the Beach” in their Summer ’05 publications.

     Sven will be an Adjudicator at the Teen Arts Festival,  sponsored by the Monmouth County Arts Council, held at Brookdale College, in March, ’07.

 OPEN YOUR EYES:
     Sven and his wife, Lizzi Schippert, established OPEN YOUR EYES in 1993 to provide Art Instruction and International Art Workshops.  As a teaching team,  Sven and Lizzi have offered art instruction and inspiration in Red Bank since 1995.  Sven and Lizzi regularly offer Plein Air Workshops in New Jersey during the warm months. 
     Together, they have led Travel Art Workshops in Maine, Monhegan Island, ME, Vermont, Florida, France and Japan. Upcoming Cultural and Art Trips include Classic Florence and Venice, September, ’07 and A Cherry Blossom Tour, Japan, Spring, ’08.  These two trips are sponsored by Classic Travel, Inc. (including Michaelangelo Tours of Italy) of Oakhurst, NJ. 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
Instructor and member at Ocean County Artists Guild, Island Heights, NJ
Instructor and member the Art Alliance, Red Bank, NJ
Exhibiting artist member and instructor the Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, NJ
Arts Partner as OPEN YOUR EYES with the Monmouth County Art Council, Red Bank, NJ

Sven's gallery