Meet Randy Graham

Whenever it rains, Randall Graham receives several text messages from patrons and collectors of his “en rain air” works — imagery depicted from a window while the cloud’s tears are pitter-pattering. For Graham, the juxtaposition of abstract and reality creates a different perspective.

“I have two sides to my painting brain,” shared Graham, who teaches traditional painting fundamentals at Randall Graham Studio in Malvern, PA. Summers are spent with family in Bethany Beach — inspiration for his series of beach and umbrella scenes. His works have been on display at the Rehoboth Art League.

“If I’m working in a studio, it’s much more about thinking about composition, drawing a concept out, doing an underpainting. And I’m always very interested in how light affects the work. The expression of light in painting is totally magical.”

On the beach and outdoors, “it’s more of a challenge,” he added. “The light is moving. It could be windy or rainy. So, it’s more of a loose style.”

This is how his creative raindrop paintings were born.

With three children, one day when it was pouring outside, Graham’s plein air setup was put on hold. “But I didn’t have the next day available to paint,” he said. “So I sat in my van and watched the rain drops on my windshield and I didn’t plan. I just gave it a try and ended up loving how the drops created an abstraction of what I was viewing out of the windshield. And that became my calling card.”

Graham is classically trained, having studied at The Carline Academy of Fine Art in Kennett Square, PA. Realist painter Bo Bartlett also taught Graham and influenced his style.