Addie Draper (continued)

"Pastels," she notes, "are pure pigment mixed with an inert binder such a gum Arabic which make them wonderfully durable. They will not deteriorate if kept behind glass and out of direct sunlight, maintaining their brilliance almost indefinitely."

And brilliance is abundant in Addie’s canvases. Using blues and bright orange-red tones, Addie depicts the feelings of specific landscapes and architecture. From quiet and balmy blues to roast-hot oranges and reds, Addie’s pictures convey an emotional connectedness with her surroundings.

The simplicity and spareness of form belie the work behind her creations:

"I thoroughly photograph a place that has intrigued me," she writes, "and manipulate the photos to find the composition or the elements that best relate the concept that attracted me to the area.

I then do a thumbnail black and white sketch to determine the placement of values and then do a small color sketch to determine color values and the poetry of the piece.

I work on a sanded paper or on board that has been prepared with a gesso and pumice surface and use a technique that involves rubbing the pastel pigment into the paper to completely cover the ground. I build up layers of color to get he depth and intensity of color that I am looking for – the technique has the same effect as glazing does in the oil medium.

"I am interested in the impact of color and composition in relating the mood of the work, working with the experience of a place, time of day, season, feelings, thoughts and emotions that one experiences when existing in their world.

"Two of my major inspirations for concepts and philosophy of painting have been Turner and Diebencorn. Although they worked in different times they each have very unique, personalized approaches. Diebencorn’s compositional abilities and Turner’s explosive use of color and movement of stroke have had a great impact on my work."

With the acquisition of Mojave Rose, Addie is involved in renovating the accompanying buildings and hopes eventually to turn the barn in to a huge painting space. "I want to paint bigger and bigger. That’s one of my goals. But I need the space," she says.

To see Addie Draper in her new studio space, be sure to visit the Mojave Rose Gallery during the tour Oct. 11 & 12; or call 505.847.1845 for an appointment.