Gretchen Kottke

Statement

For me, painting is a language that I have used for as long as I can remember. Oftentimes I think that it is my first language which I believe is true for most people since the beginning of time. Using this language, I attempt to go beyond everyday experience while capturing the simplest unnoticed essence of life. The moments that I want to capture in my figurative work are moments that are worth pondering and remembering for me and I think that many of those moments are shared by all of us.....joy, sorrow, loneliness, etc.

Recently, I have also been making art that centers around our environment. The health of our planet has been one of my priorities since the 1960’s and all of a sudden it was important to make images of the prairie and other places that I have lived. I do not attempt to make realistic images of nature but impressions. Sometimes I will make sketches of a place and then try to capture that essence. Sometimes, the images are totally made up without being truly expressionist. It is also my belief that all living things share emotion. Have you ever seen a tree that seems to be crying? One that is so very happy?

In all my work, I want to communicate with my audience. I title the work; however, the titles may be vague since I want the viewer to relate to the piece according to their own experience.


	Thoughts Detail	The Red Shoes	Statement For me, painting is a language that I have used for as long as I can remember. Oftentimes I think that it is my first language which I believe is true for most people since the beginning of time. Using this language, I attempt to go beyond everyday experience while capturing the simplest unnoticed essence of life. The moments that I want to capture in my figurative work are moments that are worth pondering and remembering for me and I think that many of those moments are shared by all of us.....joy, sorrow, loneliness, etc. Recently, I have also been making art that centers around our environment. The health of our planet has been one of my priorities since the 1960’s and all of a sudden it was important to make images of the prairie and other places that I have lived. I do not attempt to make realistic images of nature but impressions. Sometimes I will make sketches of a place and then try to capture that essence. Sometimes, the images are totally made up without being truly expressionist. It is also my belief that all living things share emotion. Have you ever seen a tree that seems to be crying? One that is so very happy? In all my work, I want to communicate with my audience. I title the work; however, the titles may be vague since I want the viewer to relate to the piece according to their own experience. Click here to view chronology

© All copyrights to these artworks are retained by the artist. These images may not be reproduced without the artist's written permission. Please respect their rights.
	North Dakota Art Gallery Association 412 19th Avenue Southwest Minot, North Dakota 58701-6420 Phone (701) 858-3242 Fax (701) 858-3894 E-mail address: ndaga@ndaga.org

© 2001 All rights reserved. North Dakota Art Gallery Association.

Statement

Click here to view chronology