Painting landscapes is a challenge in todays world because it is often easily dismissed. It is tough to do something different with it in a meaningful way. But I keep getting drawn back to it because of the very challenge it presents. I find myself not even looking at the canvas half the time as I burst forth with my brush movements across the surface of the canvas. It is exciting to see what marks have been left by my brush as I glance back and forth.
My work has to be connected to the basic core values of who I am as an artist. My work has taken me to countries at war and I am deeply concerned about how easy it is to make a ghost.. Everything I do focuses on peace. Even when I do a landscape. People often say, “Deryk, why do you do war paintings and landscapes? …. they are so different.” But to me they are one and the same.
The Gandhi painting shows formulas floating across the surface of the canvas. The same formulas that are used for a nuclear weapon can be used for treatments in medicine.
The landscape is where I can find my bearings again after witnessing some of the worst of humanity.
My trips into the wilderness have helped me find peace. There is nothing else like coming across a grizzly bear in a narrow mountain pass with nothing between you.
Image Credits
All Images Are © Deryk Houston
Deryk Houston Artist Bio
Canadian/Scottish artist, Deryk Houston resides in Victoria, B.C., Canada, and has exhibited internationally. He has mounted one man exhibitions in Canada, the USA, Scotland, Iraq, and the former Soviet Union.
His work was featured in the documentary film “From Baghdad to Peace Country” by the National Film Board of Canada.
He has completed ground art, earthen works in Iraq, Canada and Scotland, in support of children’s rights.
Blog / Website: Deryk Houston’s Art Gallery
Follow Deryk Houston on: Twitter
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