According to collector Lee Caplin, author of The Business of Art, “Lamar’s painting and sculpture go to the heart of intellect and fantasy. Combining some of the emotional and color elements of Marc Chagall with the absolute flights of whimsy of Raul Dufy, Lamar has created a unique artistic vision. Unlike his historic kin, Lamar has created a distinctive vocabulary that he uses to express himself, a vocabulary his collectors learn and anticipate. The anticipation is always fulfilled, and the vision is always fresh. It strikes a chord in any of us who trade in dreams and fantasies for a living.”
"I find Howard ['s art] intriguing . . . he successfully presents a vision of art that is mystical and yet shaped by disciplined logic. It's also quite an achievement to master the styles of other artists . . . to the extent that the "quotes" are clear, and yet combine and adjust them so that they contribute to a signature style of his own that is entirely original. His work derives inspiration from the work of earlier artists without seeming derivative. That's an amazingly fine line to walk, but he appears able to do so effortlessly." -- Adam Fulford, CEO Fulford Enterprises, Tokyo
About Howard Lamar
Several unifying qualities mark the successful artist: his artwork exhibits a unique and powerful vision to the viewer; his artwork resonates with multiple senses; his artwork explores new realms and dimensions of perception; and often, most importantly, the artist is fearless in how he brings the work to the public. This last quality is often overlooked or undervalued. Still, it can become the determining factor of an artist breaking out and the visibility and recognition of his work rising above that of others.
Howard Lamar is such an artist. His art is rarely found in traditional markets because he has controlled access to his work by featuring it primarily in one of his former California galleries in Carmel or Ojai. Still, his inventive style has sold worldwide to discriminating collectors who, over the years, ventured into one of his studios or private shows and discovered an artist whose work called them back repeatedly. Many patrons own substantial collections of his work produced over the last forty years; these paintings show a broad spectrum of the artist’s development and maturation.
Lamar’s art is considered one of the best-kept secrets in West Coast art circles; his line, form, color, and content serenade the eye, evoking primal images and timeless messages. If one studies Howard’s paintings, one may recognize the many signs - or icons - that are his keystones. Howard has a complex artistic voice, reverberating through painting, sculpture, and glass — stories drawn from his life and those close to him.
“My driving passion,” says Lamar, “is to express the Power of Beauty, and these are my tools: strong line that insinuates volume, form that brings forth life, color that paints my love of family, friends, and life, and lastly, energy which to me is the essence of life.” Carving and sculpting play strong supplemental roles to Howard’s painting, bringing three-dimensional representations of his classic icons and themes to life.
Howard’s works exploded with particularly vibrant zeal this century. His repertoire comprises large and small-scale works, incorporates brilliant colors, includes powerful new icons, and expresses his new artistic insights. Over the last few years, private showings and sales have achieved artistic and financial benchmarks, with thousands of original pieces sold.