About the artist

Deirdre Dyson has built her career as a professional artist and teacher over 35 years in Loveland, Ohio. She is a prolific painter who travels and paints extensively in this country and in Europe. Deirdre graduated from the University of Cincinnati, DAAP, with BFA in Painting and BA in Art Education. Workshop studies have been with Daniel Green, Kim English and Thaddeus Raedell. She has taught students from kindergarten through senior citizens privately, at public schools, and for the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Community Education Program.

Artist's statement

My paintings show direct response to color, light and place derived from painting on site. To paint is a basic need in my life. I find subject matter anywhere and everywhere I look. Travel inspires me new colors, lighting and, or course, subject matter. I strive to convey a feeling, or mood of a place beyond the mere descriptive elements.

I begin a painting "en plein air", essential for me to capture essence of location, with light and color, even if the works are finished in the studio.

My inspiration is landscape, with or without architectural subject. I never tire of the changing seasons and light. I vary my viewpoint between far away and closeup. I am drawn to high contrast situations with dramatic lighting. My colors are bold unless keeping a tight palette for harmony or special effect in the work. I particularly search for color in shadow areas.

I approach a new subject with general abstract color blocking defining lights and darks, then build up definition loosely and rapidly using bold color for visual excitement and emotional impact. Some paintings are held at this stage while others are worked more in detail if more description is required; I try to maintain loose brush strokes to keep the painterly quality of the work.