First Street Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of Italian Landscape Paintings and Figure Paintings by Nicholas Halko from January 7 through February 1, 2003. Opening reception is Friday January 10 from 6pm to 8pm.

Mr. Halko is a realist painter of figure, landscape and still-life subjects. He paints, directly, in oil on linen, the people, places and things that are a part of his daily life. Mr. Halko's paintings have been called luminous, and filled with the soul's yearnings that remind us of the importance of what we traditionally cherish in life.

"I work to synthesize the sensory joy and challenge of direct painting with more contemplative and visceral aspects of the painting process. This means fusing direct observation with remembrance, intellect, emotion, and intuition. I do this to ultimately define a moment and my place in it. This is the most elemental way by which I can affirm these things and myself as well."

Nicholas Halko lives, paints and teaches painting in Connecticut, but in the Spring and Summer he travels and paints in Italy.

To see more of Nicholas Halko's work, click here.