Artist statement for current series of paintings.

RaNae Couture
Artist Statement

The work in this series is about creating a conversation of contrast between forms within a theatrical space. The meaning of contrast is similar to a poem or story that is broken up into two points so that one complements, is the opposite, or is opposed to the other. It is like two different points of view or maybe even a paradox. There is a linear flow of line that often dances among the color and this enables the objects to have a voice and relate to each other. The objects are simple such as rocks, glass, string, fabrics, pieces of nature and food. Through intense observation and manipulation of line and color, I create a space with a vision that includes stillness as well as movement, calmness as well as restlessness, line contained or not contained and color that is crisp and clear or vague and transparent.
Also, I search for the poetic presence of the objects. I have looked hard at the objects and searched for the essence of its surface. The Italian still life painter Giorgio Morandi once stated, “One can travel the world and see nothing. To achieve understanding it is necessary not to see many things, but to look hard at what you do see.” Searching for the poetic presence begins during the set-up process of the still life. Arbitrarily moving the items around and balancing an item ever so gently that a breeze could collapse the structure, helps me to understand the still life. Also, unexpected change in the still life will happen, such as tiny pieces of nature falls and lands on the fabric or light fluffy seeds begin to float out of a milkweed or the fruit begins to decay. Allowing unexpected change to happen contrasts the fact that I am painting a still life.
Poetry and literature have inspired me during this creative process. I have been influenced by late nineteenth century art and literature of France and Belgium. Studying James Ensor’s free expression with color, Edouard Manet’s intellectual structuring and Amedeo Mondiglioni’s child like line, have been inspirational.

Nostalgia

2,3,4

Flag With Meat Loaf

Hidden On A Wall

The Entry was created
Then hidden on a wall
Tucked away for later.

Ensor understood.
He understood up front
The troubles with creating.
and being who you are.

He never needed to wander
and he always liked Ostend
With the sea and his friends.
One day the crowd came
looking to the one
Who entered Brussels
which was like the ancient Jerusalem.
This was not the second coming according
to McGough.

Just the rules and regulations
for each and everyone.
Yet similar to Dylan the Getty did see.
How an artist can make it through all the misery.
Well, look to the old Netherlands proverb
and one will see.

North Shore

Going to the North Shore.
I will stay for a time.
Visiting a few old friends from the past.
Friends full of color and life.
We will walk the sandy beaches.
We will talk of happenings.

Going to the North Shore.
I will stay for a time.
Visiting a few old friends from the past.
One likes a flowered hat.
The other saw sunflowers like no other.
We will talk.
And watch the breeze.

By RaNae Couture

Laid down the Red

laid down the red
in order to fly
free as air
open to life

By RaNae Couture