Picturing Places and Spaces

This monochromatic painting depicts a landscape that is enveloped in the mists of a rainy day. Thick gray clouds blot out the sunlight. Dark texture strokes suggest there are low hills covered with dense forests in the foreground. On the right side, the fog lifts just enough to reveal the curving ridges of distant hills. While viewing this painting, the feeling of walking through mist and rain is evoked. The painting is untitled, but it is similar to one that he created of a misty landscape at Chilpancingo, Mexico, in 1967. This painting in the Stamelos collection represents Kozlow's more abstract approach to landscape with atmospheric effects and muted tones.

Richard Kozlow was born in Detroit and attended Cass Technical High School and the College for Creative Studies. After being discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he worked in New York City for several years. He returned to Detroit and was employed as an advertising artist during the day while continuing to paint in his spare time. In 1960, he turned full-time to painting and began to travel. He went to Mexico and later to Spain, Portugal, England, and Costa Rica, and he was inspired by the landscapes of these places. In addition to landscapes, he painted figures, including images of Holocaust victims. Kozlow grew up in Detroit's Jewish community, and later in life he used his talent to support initiatives at area Jewish institutions.