My interest in painting came from a desire for more color in my creative life. Sculpting in stoneware clay wasn’t doing it for me. I’ve studied painting for 25 years, in New York and New Mexico with several accomplished contemporary masters in their respective studios. I began to see a narrative structure emerge on the canvas with which to dialogue. Gaining confidence, I really liked moving the vibrant colors around and became freer on the canvas. This began a love affair with Plein Air painting in oils.
Shifting to acrylic paints has begun to refocus my canvas work. With oils, I could take time to think, adjust and reconsider every mark, stand back, set the canvas aside for another session. With acrylic, my style is definitely abstract, expressive and fast. A favorite new haunt of mine is the local hardware store where I peruse the aisles looking for odd shaped metals and screens to etch and scrape with. Currently I’m working with lighter colors, more value contrasts and variation in textures. Nature is still my inspiration, yet I’m exploring with a lighter touch.
I will be working with a more intuitive, explorative approach. As my work has evolved, so have I. Always a risk-taker, I love experimenting, asking myself ‘What else is possible’. “What beauty can I create to add to this world? (a very subjective issue).” “If I add this color to that, what will I get?” “If I follow this line or add another layer of transparent color there, what will happen?” I’m also interested in exploring the sense of space on a canvas. Do I cover the whole canvas which can tend to shut out a viewer, or leave more space on the canvas for the viewer to enter and for the eye to wander around in. Perhaps I’ll work in a series – never done that before.
I get great pleasure in watching people’s response when they ‘get’ what I’m trying to convey. I head to the studio with the faintest of dream fragments. Thus begins another dialogue with Self.
Lianne Escher, MSW 