Artist of the Week: Hector deCordova Lives the Painter's Dream

Hector deCordova’s love for painting exudes from him whether he’s working in his studio or talking about a serene trout pond from which he’s drawn inspiration for numerous paintings.

When he was a child he wanted to be a singer. As a pre-teen, deCordova did well and his mentor suggested he apply to the Music and Art High School in New York. While he was there, he made a controversial decision and switched his focus from music to art.

After high school, he enrolled in the U.S. Navy and worked as an X-ray technician. After he left the Navy, the GI Bill helped him pay to go to the Parsons School of Design. He became a lifetime member of the Art Students League, where he fed off the energy of working next to other artists.

For many years, he made his living as an interior designer for commercial spaces and also was an antique dealer. About 25 years ago, he was able to switch gears and work primarily as a painter. He describes himself as “very lucky” and “very frugal” to be able to live his dream.

In 2006 he moved from the South Fork and opened his Greenport Gallery, an experience he describes as “eye-opening” in uncertain economic times. deCordova and his wife, Joyce, live in the second floor of his gallery, which allows him to save money on renting gallery space.

When he first moved to the Hamptons more than 20 years ago, he had transformed an old bar on Millstone Road in Sag Harbor into his house/studio and sees similarities between the two villages.

“Greenport is so much like Sag Harbor used to be,” he said.

As a painter, he likes to work from memory and is often influenced by his extensive travels. He does not work exclusively in one style and is often working on several paintings at once.

“I start with a thought and go through phases to keep the mood, at the same time creating space and composition,” deCordova said.

He’s a big believer in using visualization while painting and teaching art. As a painter, he does not differentiate between realism and abstraction. He believes the audience who looks at his work and lets it take over them will trigger emotions that will allow them to finish the painting.

Right now deCordova is working with siri cloth, which is very much like working on rice paper. He recently got back from China and has been using the cloth on paintings inspired by his travels.

Over the years, he has been active in the art and the Latin American communities on Long Island. In addition to teaching from his studio, he has taught art programs for BOCES and the Veteran’s Administration. This winter he will teach art at a museum in Puerto Rico.

Hector deCordova will be the featured speaker at. deCordova Studio & Gallery will feature “Abstractions” through Sunday, Sept. 11.