Untitled Document

Artists Statement

My work in pastel is currently focusing on the landscape and color. Much of my work begins with a drawing from life, plein aire, then the drawing is brought into the studio where the process of painting in pastel happens. Interpreting the landscape is a new avenue that sometimes appears to be taking on a life of its own. The work seems to reach out, bringing some sense of place to the observer. Some pieces, I want to hang on to because they are still teaching me something about these new explorations. While there is a certain amount of process in building a painting, what comes off my hand and on to the board is many times not what I see or even had in my mind. The entire process is compelling me to keep reaching for the next piece, the next view that comes.

The figure work that I have been doing for many years in juxtaposition to the pastel seems schizophrenic. But it isn't. I am starting to hone in on an inner emotion that is transpiring between the model and the paper. I can never know what is really going on in the models life but each individual has an aura, a sense of self. The events of their life appear in the pose. When I am sensitive enough to capture that life essence on paper, once in a while, there is something honest to share with the viewer.

For me, the next step will be to merge what is happening in these contrasting works.

	Adirondack Artists Guild 52 Main St. Saranac Lake, NY 12983 contact	Diane Leifheit farcryart@adelphia.net
Artists Statement My work in pastel is currently focusing on the landscape and color. Much of my work begins with a drawing from life, plein aire, then the drawing is brought into the studio where the process of painting in pastel happens. Interpreting the landscape is a new avenue that sometimes appears to be taking on a life of its own. The work seems to reach out, bringing some sense of place to the observer. Some pieces, I want to hang on to because they are still teaching me something about these new explorations. While there is a certain amount of process in building a painting, what comes off my hand and on to the board is many times not what I see or even had in my mind. The entire process is compelling me to keep reaching for the next piece, the next view that comes. The figure work that I have been doing for many years in juxtaposition to the pastel seems schizophrenic. But it isn't. I am starting to hone in on an inner emotion that is transpiring between the model and the paper. I can never know what is really going on in the models life but each individual has an aura, a sense of self. The events of their life appear in the pose. When I am sensitive enough to capture that life essence on paper, once in a while, there is something honest to share with the viewer. For me, the next step will be to merge what is happening in these contrasting works.
Spf 50, Progresso 7" x 16", 450.00
Blaring Cacaphony 23" x 36", 1800.00
Feed Me! Pastel, 17" x 23" 550.00
Apple Crisp, Anyone? 24" x 10" , 995.00
3--2--1----Action Charcoal, 18 x 24, 400.00
The Lilys Were Gareth's Idea Pastel, 23" x 17", 700.00
Daisy-Daze Pastel, 8.5" x 16", 995.00
Hunkering (left) and Strength (right) Each is 16" x 13", Hunkering is 300.00 and Strength is SOLD