A treasure among us - Bogomir Bogdanovic communicates through his art

Warwick — Bogomir Bogdanovic, the award-winning, world-renown artist, has called Warwick home for more than 40 years. His adopted hometown is reflected in much of his art. “Penning Farm, Retired,” “Wildlife Heaven in Warwick, NY,” “October in New Milford, NY,” are just a few of Bogdanovic’s works that will look familiar to residents. Now, Bogdanovic, 85, will give two of his works of art to the town and village he loves. A pastel of Miller’s Farm will soon hang in the Village Hall, while a pastel of the Rudy Farm will grace the walls of the Warwick Police Department. “It is an honor for me to present something to the town I’ve spent more than half my life in,” said Bogdanovic. And an honor for the town and village to receive them. Mayor Michael Newhard, an artist himself, has known Bogdanovic for many years. He has watched Bogdanovic and has learned from him. “Growing up in Warwick I was able to know and befriend many artists,” said Newhard. “Being amidst adults who defined their lives making pictures, drawing, creating sculpture was surely inspirational for me as a young man. Bogomir Bogdanovic was one of these artists. To see him in a field painting a landscape or working late at night in his studio on West Street was a way of introducing me to the livelihood of an artist. My parents owned a painting by Bogomir - it was a landscape of a farmstead in early winter done in watercolor. I would stare at the painting often - looking at the composition, technique and quality of color as a way of learning by observation. He is truly a master artist.” Police Chief Tom McGovern knew the artist growing up, too. He is a fan not just of his work but also for all that he gave to the community through the years. “He has always been around Warwick soccer,” said McGovern, who Bogdanovic said was his best player. “He was a coach in the mid to late 70s for a men’s league. I’ve known him since I was in the seventh grade. He’s a hunter, fisherman. One of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. And a very proud man — proud of his son and proud to be an American citizen.” Bogdanovic was born in Yugoslavia in 1923 and came to New York City in 1957. The quality of Bogdanovic’s work was quickly recognized and soon he was winning awards. “Someone actually asked if I would stop exhibiting in Washington Square because he feared I would win all of the prizes,” said Bogdanovic. He found Warwick after buying a car and deciding he would go out and see the country. He drove through New England and up to Maine. On his way back he stopped to rest in Warwick. He looked on a map the next morning and saw that he wasn’t far from New York City so he decided he’d live here. Bogdanovic’s subject matter is landscapes, beautiful, detailed landscapes. Many of his works depict the city. One of his most famous, and most favorite, works is “Winter Central Park.” “There is nothing more to be added to this,” said Bogdanovic. “Technically it is an incredible piece. Atmospheric. I don’t think an artist could add another stroke.” Bogdanovic told of the dilemma he had with drawing the windows in the skyscrapers surrounding the park. Hundreds of windows, he said. He wondered how he would do it. One night, he awoke with the answer—he blurred the windows. He couldn’t find a technical solution so he blurred the windows. “People know they are there,” he said, “but you don’t have to see every single one of them to know that.” Years later, that painting won a top award in the country. Which became commonplace for the artist. Bogdanovic’s works are part of thousands of exhibits around the world including in the palace of former-President Sukarno of Indonesia, the Museum of Art in Brazil, City Hall in New York City, as well as a former publisher of the New York Times, Orville Dryfoos. He has had exhibits at the National Academy, the Kennedy Gallery, and the Grand Central Galleries in New York City, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and continues to exhibit in the Southwest Galleries in Dallas. Bogdanovic has won the Charles Dana Water Color Medal from Pennsylvania Academy, an award also won by Andrew Wyeth. His other awards include the American Watercolor Society Silver Medal, and the Audubon Artists Gold and Silver medals. He is listed in the 1000 Leaders of World Influence and as one of the outstanding artists and designers of the 20th century. Last year he was selected as one of the top 100 artists in the world by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England. Art, he said, is his way to communicate. “People should communicate more,” said Bogdanovic. “I am trying to communicate with my brushes.” And his art has another purpose as well. “I am trying to resurrect the respect of this noble profession.” Bogdanovic, while respected for his art and a success in it, has also experienced tragedy. Recently, his studio on West Street was flooded, ruining his preparation to exhibit again. He is working on rebuilding that exhibit. Prior to the flooding, he put his work on hold to care for his beloved wife, who died from cancer a few years ago. Bogdanovic, though, wants to get the message out that no matter what the obstacles, no matter what the goal, people should never give up. And he is certainly an example of that message. “I want to encourage young people to never give up,” he said. “This country did not accept ‘impossible.’ American footprints and the American flag will always be on the moon. Nothing is impossible.” Bogdanovic’s work is on display at the Southwest Gallery in Dallas, Texas, and can be viewed online at www.swgallery.com. Reflecting on his car trip to New England that eventually landed him in Warwick, Bogdanovic smiled. Scenes from throughout the Warwick Valley and the surrounding area have become the subjects of some of his most beautiful works, all because he decided to spend the night in a little hotel near Park Avenue. “You never can tell what is waiting for you.” ‘My parents owned a painting by Bogomir - it was a landscape of a farmstead in early winter done in watercolor. I would stare at the painting often - looking at the composition, technique and quality of color as a way of learning by observation. He is truly a master artist.” Mayor Michael Newhard