Frederick Fochtman is an art restorer and oil painter from Columbus, Ohio. As a painter, Fred works from direct observation and paints exclusively from life. He feels that a necessary and integral part of his process is the relationship with his subject as together they face the challenges created by shifting light, weather and time. Fred’s painting subjects include landscape, still life, figurative and interior. The palette and mark making choices are responsive and designed to reflect a method of problem solving as it relates to each individual painting experience. Although Fred often works in the alla prima style, several of his paintings require multiple sittings in order to achieve the desired result.
As a painter, Fred travels annually to Vermont and the Atlantic coast in order to create work in the plein air style. Additionally, he paints landscapes both locally and throughout Ohio. His figure work is created in various studios in collaboration with other painters. Interiors and still lifes are often produced in the restoration studio and the Clintonville bungalow he shares with his wife Peg. Fred feels it is essential to keep an open mind as it relates to painting styles and methods because, in his experiences, some of his most satisfying work is born out of exploration and risk taking.
As an art restorer, Fred has worked on paintings and murals for governmental clients, colleges and universities, museums, corporate clients, galleries and private collections in Ohio and throughout the country. He finds the work very satisfying and feels fortunate he is able to spend his days in such a rewarding pursuit.
The second half of 2015 has Fred exhibiting his paintings at the Georgian Museum in Lancaster, Ohio, The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, The Zanesville Museum of Art in Zanesville, Ohio, The Tecumseh Land Trust Anniversary Exhibition, Yellow Springs, Ohio, The Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio and a November solo exhibition at The Sharon Weiss Gallery in Columbus, Ohio