Vivid Memory Landscapes

Landscapes hold a special appeal. Living not far from the woods and the ocean for the last twenty-five years, I'm grateful I can easily be among the beauty of nature. With population growth and urban squall, I see more condensed housing being built, and wonder what beautiful area will disappear next. I create landscapes and florals to keep nature in mind for all of us.

I've previously painted realistically, working to capture a fleeting moment. I've enjoyed using watercolor and oil to portray the dappled light and deep shadows of a forest trail, or to depict the translucency of rose petals.

As many artists will tell you, they feel an inner need to expand their creativity. I am no different. Moving away from the realism genre, I'm now working more abstractly with acrylic paint and acrylic medium. By spraying water and using my fingers, I move poured paint about the canvas to develop textures and watch images evolve from the surface as the paint settles and dries. I am now allowing the paint to flow through me evoking memory or longing for a peaceful evening or a glimpse of what the world is like under the water's surface. I'm no longer concerned if the painting looks like an actual place, if it evokes a feeling of place, then I've achieved my intent.

All is not immediately apparent in this abstracted body of work. Images are revealed through exploration.

Nancy Ann Rice 2005