Todd Reifers, a lifelong Indiana resident, was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1948. His early exposure to art was through his Grandmother, Ann Reifers, an accomplished amateur painter who developed treasured friendships with the late Indiana Masters Curry Boehm, V.J. Cariani, Ada Shulz and Derk Smit.
Todd's training began at the age of seven with Saturday morning art classes taught by the late Sister Ruffinia, a Catholic Nunn noted for her oil landscapes in Who's Who in American Art. At age 14, Todd sold his first work, a caustic piece depicting a harbor scene.
todd_maine.jpgDuring Todd's high school years, he won three consecutive scholarships to the John Herron School of Art's summer program. Later, he trained at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Art Academy in Cincinnati. His early career included serving as an illustrator for the Indianapolis Star and an art director for advertising agencies. Then, he toured with the California Professional Artists' Society and studied with the great watercolor master, John Pike. Todd's close association with contemporary C.W. Mundy has given him richer insight into the oil medium, as well as a source of professional critique and support.
Mr. Reifers, an associate member of the Oil Painters of America, won Best of Show at the 2004 Eastern Regional Exhibition. Other awards include Best of Show at the 2001 Hoosier Salon, Best First-time Exhibitor at the 1999 Hoosier Salon, as well as the Indiana Heritage Arts 2003 Patron's Choice award and 2004 Overall Second Place. Todd is an artist member of the North Shore Arts Association (Gloucester, Massachusetts), the Small Painting Society of Indiana and the American Impressionist Society.
Todd paints predominantly on location or plein-aire. The East Coast of the United States provides Todd with many locales for artistic subject matter. A yearly pilgrimage inspires him to retrace the footsteps of the influential Masters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that he so ardently admires. His mission, however, is not to copy their works but to draw upon their inspirational recordings to express his interpretation of light, mood and importance.
todd_plane.jpgWith interests extending beyond his dedication to art, Todd has a talent for industrial design and is a recreational pilot who built his own high performance airplane. Hardly a day passes when the intersection of his inventive personality and his need to paint fail to ignite new opportunities and a cheerful zest for change.
Todd's art is geared toward the collector with a discriminating eye focused on high art. Mr. Reifers has excellent gallery representation at the Summerhouse Gallery in Rockport, Mass. and the Brigham Gallery in Nantucket, Mass. where his work may be viewed on a regular basis. His website address is www.toddreifers.com.