Artist Information
Gregg Rochester is a third generation painter, specializing in oil landscapes, abstracts and brush-painted bicycles. His training includes studies in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, University of Kansas, Indiana University, and the Scottsdale Artist's School.
His love for cycling brought inspiration for his detailed designs on the bicycle which include themes such as African textiles, reptile skin, maps, ancient beads, marbles, outer space, and the Northern Lights. Each bicycle is unique, often painted differently on each side. The bicycles themselves are a work of art, as Rochester has selected high quality frames and components for their construction.
He collaborates with Hed Cycling, maker of competition carbon wheels for professional racing teams. Hed utilizes the bicycles for promotions, in exchange, providing it's specialized racing wheels to the artist. (www.hedcycling.com).
Rochester's original concept was to encourage his patrons to use the painted bicycle as a sculptural piece, hanging it on the wall or placing it on a stand. The bicycle, since it is painted differently on each side, can be reversed. Alongside or nearby, one of Rochester's bicycle-themed paintings hang. When the weather is right, the bicycle comes down and is ridden like any bike!
His paintings are brightly colored abstracts with bicycle themes within. His fantasy landscapes suggest the view of the countryside from the cyclist's point of view.
His show, featuring the bicycles and paintings, is titled, "Le Tour d'Art", and has traveled throughout the United States. Most recently, bicycles were invited to display by the famed Minneapolis Institute of Art. A European tour is in the planning stages.
Rochester was named "Wisconsin Artist of the Year" in 2012. He has extensive articles written about him in national media, has been interviewed by NPR, and recently was featured in a book written about regional artists. He is represented by fine art galleries in several U.S. venues. http://greggrochesterart.homestead.com/Galleries.html
He paints bicycles on a commissioned basis. He can be contacted at
greggrochesterart@hotmail.com. His landscape website is www.greggrochesterart.homestead.com
