About Lucas.
“We live in a society where we’re constantly obsessing with ourselves. We seem to forget we’re surrounded by life on this beautiful planet. I want to bring back the attention of the viewer towards nature and remind us that we’re here only as visitors and it’s our responsibility to take care of this planet.
With my paintings, I want people to feel immersed in nature. To show them the might and beauty that resides in mountains, lakes and valleys. I want people to feel what I feel when I’m in front of a mountain: struck, non-existing, in complete awe, inspired and at peace.”
Lucas is a third-generation Landscape painter. He was brought up in the epic landscapes of Patagonia, on his family ranch, hand-built in Austrian tradition by his grandfather Franz Kratochwil. Franz was a prolific landscape and portrait painter, trained at the Vienna Art Academy.
Lucas grew up surrounded by the Andes mountains, Patagonian lakes and ancient native forests. He shared his father’s passion for living in nature, together with his family’s artistic heritage. They would spend their days working the land, doing fine carpentry, furniture and painting. His father, Robert Kratochwil, is a great figure drawing artist and landscape photographer.
At a young age Lucas moved to Graz, Austria to pursue a degree in Industrial Design at the prestigious FH Joanneum University, where he further developed his passion for design and technical thinking. After graduating he moved to Vienna, where he started a career in the Art Department of the Film Industry. Using his talent as a painter, sculptor and designer he designed and fabricated numerous sets and props for Movies and Television Shows.
Lucas has been creating artwork his entire life. Through the years he has explored various mediums, styles and themes ranging from watercolours to acrylics, oils, drawings, sculpture, abstract art, surrealism, fantasy and realism. He has done numerous private painting and sculpture commissions, custom furniture pieces and even book illustrations.
He lives and works out of Roberts Creek, BC, where he is currently creating a collection of large scale oil paintings depicting the Pacific North West region. His realistic paintings have a big impact on the public and help to raise awareness of the vital interaction of people and nature and the importance of preserving the planet’s natural treasures.
He is represented by Ian Tan Gallery in Vancouver, BC.
Painting Process.
Painting “The Black Tusk“, 2018.
Every painting begins with a search to capture the essence of a landscape. Landscapes, same as music, awaken within us a whole range of emotions and long lasting impressions that are sometimes hard to describe, yet are powerful in their inner expression.
In preparation for a painting, Lucas spends time in nature, exploring and studying the landscape. Experiencing first hand the energy of a place, the scale, temperature, colours, lighting, textures and above it all, the feelings that arise within from this exposure.
Aerial expedition to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, 2019.
Plein Air painting at Moraine Lake, 2018.
After this initial phase, Lucas works in his studio for extensive periods of time creating his paintings.
Lucas Kratochwil at his North Vancouver studio, 2019.
Painting “Alpha Mountain” and “Serratus Mountain” of the Tantalus Range Series, 2019.
Lucas Kratochwil at his Sunshine Coast studio, 2019.