Born in Russian Armenia, Ovanes Berberian received academic training
under the tutelage of his father, a noted artist and professor. In the
summer of 1977, he immigrated to the United States. The young artist was
awarded a scholarship to study with the master painter Sergei Bongart.
That experience had a profound effect on Berberian, leading to his deep
understanding of color relationships, hues and values, and exposing him to
the beauty of Idaho, where he now resides.
A plein air purist, Berberian elects to paint on location inspired by
direct relationship to his subject. "The most important thing in
painting is color harmony," he states. Based in traditions of
realism, the works are expressionist in nature with a sense of the Old
Masters. Berberian’s keen perception of the landscape and its moods,
enables him to simplify subject matter, reducing the components to their
most fundamental and poetic form. Each painting is rich with substance,
striking a chord deep within the viewer.