Frances Dodd
Pueblo West, Colorado
719-547-0165
fran@francesdoddart.com
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Frances Dodd |
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Artist's Statement
Although the landscape remains my primary subject, I delight in painting the figure and street scenes in either oils or pastel. The range of texture, color and adaptability of oils is almost limitless. It can be maneuvered from a thin transparent wash to a rich, thick opacity. Pastel, a dry medium, is exciting for its immediacy, freshness and sparkle. The colors are intense and vibrant and are available in a vast selection. When asked what my favorite medium is, I can’t choose – I love them both equally !
In painting figures I look for poses that show them engaged in an activity that is unique to the model. Keeping my strokes loose and free helps to convey their movement, emotion and inner energy.
Painting en plein air is a special joy; there is no experience quite like being out in nature, being one with it, and painting my interpretation of its splendor. Frequently, I need to turn my back to the scene so that I’m not tempted to become too literal in my interpretation of it. I want to edit the subject and paint its essence without the overabundance of details.
What initially attracts me to any subject are the shapes and values within it. I see objects- whether it’s a pond, a tree or a road, as a shape - a form. Moving these shapes around to form a pleasing composition is my first step. I’ve been known to move mountains, rivers and trees to manipulate nature into a cohesive arrangement on canvas or paper! Beyond composition, color and light are my passion and many of my paintings are more about these elements than they are about the actual subject matter. I’ve been called a colorist and my paintings are easily identifiable by my use of vibrant color and strong darks and lights. I love the simple act of pushing the paint or pastel around the surface developing lush color relationships and dramatic values.
I know a painting has succeeded when it presents a subject stamped with my own authenticity using exciting and harmonic color choices and strong value patterns. It has to have an imaginative interpretation of the subject and my own personal vision, rather than a literal rendering.
I continue to grow as an artist; my learning and passion never ebbs. The destination is always before me and I never, ever “get there”!
Quoting Matisse, “I re-present the subject as shaped by my own vision and emotions.”