CARY SCARDINA
"Whether literal or figurative, naturally occurring contrast reveals a universal story — a visual language of duality and being. I paint from my own photography, capturing images spontaneously to preserve their authenticity and unmanufactured quality. As a retired FBI agent with a background in cybersecurity, I find a parallel between painting and programming: each line or brushstroke influences the outcome, and each outcome brings its own reward. My time living in Tel Aviv, Moscow, and Prague broadened my cultural perspective and deepened my appreciation for diversity, continually shaping my artistic vision.
My artistic journey began in childhood with pencil drawings, later evolving to pen and ink. In my twenties, a birthday paint set sparked my transition to color. Lacking formal instruction, I approached painting like an illustrator—starting with line rather than form. During periods when work and travel kept me from painting, I continued the practice mentally, studying light, color, and composition wherever I went. Now, in retirement—while still working full-time in cybersecurity consulting—I devote evenings and weekends to painting. As a creative discipline, I restrict my palette to just five colors: alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow pale hue, French ultramarine, titanium white, and burnt umber. From these limited pigments, I create the full spectrum of my work."
