Artist of the Month July 2007

Renee Decator

Indialantic, FL

How and when did you start creating art?

Drawing was a favorite pastime as a child; it's just something I always loved to do. When I was 12 or 13 I had an inspirational art teacher, she encouraged creativity and was very supportive of my art endeavors. About 12 years ago my sister talked me into taking a drawing class at a small art school in my hometown. That was my first serious art instruction, and I was immediately hooked. I had a great teacher that taught in a classical academic style-a great foundation for any artistic pursuit.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work mainly with acrylics, and I would define my style as "Southern Expressionism". I was a "traditional oil painter" painting in a photorealistic style until about 5 years ago. I switched to acrylics and found my style changed drastically after making that change. I never even wanted to try acrylics because of their fast dry time and consistency, and found that those are the attributes I love about them. I am also doing some printmaking; monoprints and colographs.

Who or what are your influences?

I say I am painting all my passions. Those are the things in life that excite me, inspire me or make me take a second look. As any artist, I am a product of my upbringing, in my case a southern girl, I want to share what that means to me, with my audience. I admire great painters and artists in all different genres. I love art that "moves me". The first time I saw a Van Gogh in person, I cried and cried. Van Gogh, Picasso, Manet, John Singer Sargent, Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn and Wayne Thiebaud are some of my favorite artists.

I love tropical flora. The bright colors and playful design always amaze me. My friend called me and said she had a lot of bananas that needed harvesting. I grabbed my camera and took a bunch of pictures then helped her cut the fruit down. I should have called the painting that evolved, "Bread in the Sky" due to all the banana bread I baked, but I couldn't resist the title "Pie in the Sky".

Describe your creative process?

I love color and texture. I use the same palette for all my work but adapt it to my subject matter. I create texture either by applying thick gesso to my canvas or board, or by collaging cloth, string or other items onto the canvas. I layer my acrylics and incorporate all the layers of colors into the composition. I often find that by creating obstacles like randomly placed texture?I force myself to take more time in my creative process. I can explore many possibilities and not be afraid to change things. I never pre-draw my subject. I love to let the painting evolve; it is much more exciting to me not knowing what will happen. I have to give it time to get to what it is I want to say. My first sea turtle painting began as a commissioned banana painting. I kept trying to paint over the turtle shape but finally gave up, and let the turtle be.

What are you working on currently?

I am presently working on several new ?creatures? that intrigue me. I am finishing a large diptych of white pelicans ; working from reference photos I took a few years ago, and an alligator entitled, ?Gnarly but Nice?. I love chairs?I have a series of ?Big Blue Chair? paintings, and recently purchased a lovely red stool for new inspiration. I am also continuing to paint ?tropical? plantscapes inspired by my love of exotic plants.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

One goal is to expand my market area and exhibit my work in new locations. It is always a struggle to balance the creative artmaking and art marketing sides of being an artist. I also have an artbook project that needs time and attention to move forward, it is about two squirrels and is very weird. I would also like to expand my experience in printmaking, a medium that has endless possibilities. My main goal is to continue painting my passions and being true to who I am and what I want to share about myself through my art.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

My work can be seen at <a href:"http://www.reneedecator.com>ww.reneedecator.com</a> ,(please ?sign up? so I can add you to my mailing list). I am represented in Melbourne, Florida by the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, www.fifthavenueartgallery.com . I also participate in the outdoor show circuit in Central Florida.