I have an unconditional approach to the common concept of painting. For many years, I have painted and exhibited, then in 1990, I began experimenting by combining painting, collage and drawing – all on the same work.
The pieces begin on rag paper, board or unprimed canvas. Starting with a gesture drawing, continuing with collage, line and brush strokes, I then move back and forth creating depth through combining imagery, form, movement, texture, and negative space using sumi, oils, raw pigment, beeswax, resin, clay, graphite, asphalt…fragments…slices and pieces of other works. Each stroke…each gesture… each placement…informs…divines the next.
I am obsessed with the expression of the gesture, grace, motion and mystery of the human figure.
My format is large, allowing the viewer to become an active part of the painting itself, simultaneously
maximizing my presentation of the image and the act of painting.
-- Mary Sobrina Kuder |