Where to start? Sometimes I am deeply inspired by the colors, light or glamor of an exotic locale, or a memorable experience on a journey. In “Santa Fe Holiday,” I used color, texture and form to create a fanciful, inviting scene that attempts to exude the feelings I experienced in person. A sense of whimsy, motion and varied palette knife strokes and brushwork add to the interest. I love revisiting my fantasy lands again and again.
Other times, I am moved from within and seek to convey the stirrings of emotion, color and movement in my mind via abstraction. I tried to recapture the vibrant swirls and chaotic dance in “Descending Orbs” with loads of gooey paint and layers of texture. I always wonder if I have explored externally all I experienced internally. The journey is exhilarating nonetheless.
And there are times I simply take pleasure in the ordinary objects before me. This is “Sweetie Pie.” From representation to abstraction and back again, it’s all yummy.
Image Credits
All Images Are © Debbi Smith Rourke
Debbi Smith Rourke Artist Bio
I’m a fifth-generation Austinite. I find the mystique of the Texas hill country alluring. The lands, terrain and lighting I encounter on my travels hold a fascination as well. I take photographs to help me remember the initial inspiration for my landscape and abstracted landscape works. I’m passionate about simplifying shapes, exploring unexpected color and experimenting with texture, even as I move between representation and abstraction.
I have a B.S in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin and have worked on the creative side of marketing for over two decades. I have taken art coursework from The Contemporary Austin art school and enjoy taking workshops from renowned artists around the US. I work in my home studio in Austin, and teach oil and acrylic painting lessons to children and adults. My color and shaped-inspired works have been exhibited in galleries, museums, public spaces and festivals around the US, and many have found their way into private collections.
Website: Debbi Smith Rourke
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