Fantasy Landscapes

Prairie Schooner
serigraph
24" x 18"

 

Statement

My work, I've come to realize, is about place.
I used to think that subject matter was not the
central issue in my work, that color was the
"point". When forced to look back at the whole
collection of pieces created over 25 years, I came
to the realization that I am indeed a "regionalist"
with a small "r". Unfortunately, the world has
been co-opted by the critics who dismiss work
that relates to a particular region as parochial.
But what else do you call an artist who makes
work about the place that she finds herself, no
matter where that place is geographically?
    I work in series. That is, many of my prints
contain similar images. I'm sort of like a dog
with a bone. I work an idea until there isn't much
left. It's a matter of seeing things from several
points of view. If an "elevator" print works there
must be other ways to play with the same notion.
More than 30 prints done between 1973 and 1980
were elevator images.
     Besides elevators, over the years I have played
with drains, rainbows, hot air balloons, and, now,
ships. Many of these things have nothing directly
to do with the Red River Valley, especially ships,
but by juxtaposition of these unrelated elements
with this improbable landscape, I hope to stimulate
thought and response. Eastern North Dakota is not
an "easy" landscape. For easy landscapes, go to
Colorado or Montana. I hope that my fantasy
landscapes help viewers invest time in appreciating
the subtle beauty of the open plains, the dazzling
skies and color schemes. To do so is certainly
rewarding. Most things worth doing take some effort.

Click here to view chronology

 

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  North Dakota Art Gallery Association.