Eric Rau

Born in Southern California and raised in North Idaho, Eric Rau grew up in a home full of artistic expression, with the ability to naturally explore a variety of mediums. As young as age 11, he was winning state art competitions in his division and continued to do so through out high school. A passion for art, combined with his love of nature and being outdoors took him to the University of Idaho to pursue a degree in Wildlife Biology. After two years of study and a semester break spent traveling and exploring the culture and Art museums of Europe, he returned to the University and completed a Fine Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking.

After leaving the U of I, Eric spent 10 years in Oregon. He showed at various competitions, galleries and locations and then listened to his urge to return to the Spokane area and raise his daughter closer to family. Here, the artist continues to exhibit his lifelong passion for the outdoors and art by exploring the relationship between people and the environment around us. His art is a subconscious creative act that expresses his conviction that nature has the ability to heal us.  Spending time alone in the wilderness, hiking, skiing, bird-watching, kayaking and just plain listening, allows him to experience the elements in a way that revives his spirituality, and brings peace to both body and soul. 

Rau translates these experiences to his artwork in an abstract-expressionist style to represent the relationship between humans and nature and the places we inhabit.  As his work has evolved, the artist has begun to incorporate images that highlight the pressures and compromises that modern society places on our landscape. He hopes that his art acts as a catalyst for discussion about the relationships between man and nature, and the impact each has on the other.       

Artist Statement:

My art is a result of a subconscious creative act that expresses my conviction that nature has the ability to heal us. Spending time alone in the wilderness, hiking, skiing, and kayaking allows me to have experiences that revives my spirituality and brings peace to both body and soul. I translate these experiences to my artwork, using an abstract-expressionist style to represent the relationship between humans and nature and the places we inhabit. As my work has evolved, I have begun to incorporate images representing the pressures and compromises that modern society places on our landscape. 

For me, a painting never starts with an idea, but with the stroke of a brush. Each piece evolves from the subconscious as I put brush to canvas. Forms, shapes and colors come together to express my subconscious feelings of fear, joy, hope and despair. The meditative act of painting allows me to express my inner conflicts, my questions, and allows me to express my connection with nature, people and places.   

I hope that my art acts as a catalyst for discussion about the relationships between man and nature, and the impact each has on the other.       

Resume

Bachelor of Fine Arts, U of Idaho, 1993

November 26th- December 25th, 2017 |Fountainhead Gallery| 625 W. McGraw St; Seattle, WA

August July 31st-August 27th, 2017, “Encounters” |Fountainhead Gallery| 625 W. McGraw St; Seattle, WA

December 1st-23rd, 2016| Fountainhead Gallery| 625 W. McGraw St; Seattle, WA

March 3rd- 26th, 2016| Fountainhead Gallery|625 W. McGraw St; Seattle, WA

December 3rd- 26th, 2015|Fountainhead Gallery|625 W. McGraw St; Seattle, WA

June 2th- 30th, 2014|Interplayers Theatre| 174 S. Howard St; Spokane, WA

June 7th – July 2nd, 2013|Iron Goat Brewing| 2204 E. Mallon Ave; Spokane, WA  

February 28th – March 16th, 2013| Interplayers Theatre| 174 S. Howard St; Spokane, WA

November 5th- November 30th, 2012| Old Ballard Caffe Fiore| 5405 Leary Ave NW; Seattle, WA

September 3rd –October 31st, 2012| Victrola Coffee Roasters|310 East Pike; Seattle, WA

July 1st – August 31st, 2012|Muse Coffee|1907 10th Avenue West; Seattle, WA

April 30th – June 1st, 2012|Taste Café & Gourmet to Go|180 S. Howard; Spokane, WA

March 15th- April 17th, 2012| South Perry Pizza| 1011 S. Perry Street; Spokane, WA

August 5th –September 1st, 2011| Italia Trattoria| 144 South Cannon St; Spokane, WA

August 13th- September 9th, 2010| Sum of 6 Gallery| 321 Sherman Ave; Coeur D’ Alene, ID

July 2nd- August 4th, 2010| Grand Ronde Cellars| 906 W. 2nd Ave; Spokane, WA 99201

February 9th- March 13th, 2010| Elk Public House| 1931 W. Pacific Ave; Spokane, WA

December 4th- 23rd, 2009| Lone Canary Winery| 109 S. Scott St; Spokane, WA