ARTIST STATEMENT
My love of flowers, beach scapes, prairies, and woodlands lies in their intense vibrancy, movement, and color. I have been creating more abstract interpretations of all these types of images and contexts. The work is marked by a focus on texture and layering of color with different brushstrokes. The beauties of nature have been my inspiration from the beginning with the free flowing patterns, textures and colors. Most of my work incorporates movement, attempting to capture abstractly the invisible wind as part of the image. Nature is directly represented with the use of grasses, tree branches, and flowers as objects with which to print. Living in the city of Chicago has allowed me to appreciate what grows in the nooks and crannies in the midst of the ever present brick and concrete. Finally, the natural world is ephemeral, presenting differently each time I look.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
As a clinical psychologist, painting provides a solace and sense of peace in the midst of a sometimes chaotic world. Nature found in the city of Chicago has been my muse. I have been painting in watercolors and with gouache for about 20 years. My artistic journey started with several watercolor and gouache workshops in Michigan led by a wonderful teacher, artist and friend, Melanie Parke. For many years I was meeting every other week in Chicago with a group led by the fabulous artist, teacher and new friend, Allison Svoboda. Leslie Baum’s excellent teaching and abstract layering of collage have inspired for several years. Most recently I am in a painting salon with wonderful leader, Leslie Hirshfield. My work has been in several shows in the Chicago area, including one juried show.
© Maryse Richards