CONTRAST AND CONTRADICTION

It has been my experience that life is a subtle composition of contradictions. And it is only by contrast of the absurd that rational makes sense and it is by the contrast of dark that there is light.

The expression of the observations of life have evolved into several varieties of works, while expressing a consistency that nearly always reveals the suggestion of landscapes. The contradiction that oil and water do not mix and the theory that spilled oil is not easily controlled - is the very basis of my working media. Paper is a water base material and usually has a water base media applied to it. It is because "oil and water do not mix" that I find oil base media the perfect application with paper. I am in control of the applied materials rather than the properties of the paper demanding an opinion on the control and, ultimately, the result.

While there are highs contrasted by low periods of life, there are subtleties of monocromatic colors contrasted by shiny and dull, transparency and opaque, rough and smooth, undefined shapes and defined shapes or lines - to form an overall composition in an undisturbed space of time; not always recognized at the moment of happening - but leaves a lasting impression to be continually reinterpreted and related. Even with high contrast, subtleties are woven into the overall picture as the opservation continues. The collage elements are saved pieces of  my life, but placed into another context to take on a new life. The mixed media of pencil, craypas, charcoal, metalic ink, cold leaf and foil are the results of further exploration of materials that should not work together - but do.

Fear is contrasted by knowledge. Knowledge is gained by exploration - the sensation of emotion, the power of intuition and the confidence of logic.

Diane Schroeder