Artist Statement

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I have always been drawn to light. Growing up around lakes and water, nothing was more soothing to me than watching how light moved across water. I have many peaceful memories of laying on the dock, watching the sparkle of the late sun on the lake, paddling among surface reflections, gazing at lake bottoms through the shifting light on water between me and the underwater scenes. 

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Those experiences have influenced my painting. Although my subject matter is people enjoying everyday activities, they are simply shapes used as an excuse to paint the atmosphere around them. I seek out places where the light is low, dawn, twilight, brightly lit nighttime streets, or a hazy summer day are times that you will find me out searching for subject matter. Those are times of day and atmospheric conditions when the light quality softens the shapes of the figures, turning them into silhouettes, featuring the luminosity around them.

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While the realm of pure abstraction intrigues me and the composition and elements in my work are carefully chosen to convey my intent, I lean toward realism because I want people to be able to relate. I hope for the viewer to recall a joyful, lighthearted moment that they have experienced after seeing my paintings.

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I work in a variety of media, although pastel and watercolor remain my favorites. Both provide easy opportunities for building color and allow those colors to shimmer and peek through from a previous layer, creating the glimmer and glow that I find important.

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I find exploring the subtleties of light brings me endless possibilities of imagery. I have a need to record the world as I see it, filled with luminance, sparkle, and glow…and to share that with others.

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website: www.Terribrooksart.com

 

Insta: @terribrooksart

FB: Terri Brooks

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Bio

Terri Brooks is an award-winning painter who has had a lifelong interest in the visual arts. After earning a degree in art at the University of Maine, Ms. Brooks began a 30+ year career teaching art in the public schools. Although she majored in sculpture while in college, she found it difficult to find the space and to fund the necessary equipment necessary for that medium while working full time and raising a family. Her passion for color and need for a portable medium led to a decision to make watercolor her primary medium. 

 

She began exhibiting in national shows in 2001. Since that time Ms. Brooks work has been exhibited in numerous national and international juried shows and has received many awards. Her work has been cited for its soft, glowing light and use of color granulation.

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After her children grew up, her husband built her a dedicated studio space and she turned to pastels and her primary medium. It provided the same layering opportunity as watercolor and has the benefit of not having to wait for layers to dry, allowing the artist to step back , ‘rest the eyes” and continue at anytime. 

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A few years ago, looking for a new medium totally different from watercolor and pastel, she delved into printmaking, a medium she found enjoyable to teach while a public school art teacher. The possibilities are endless. Many thanks to Gallery 302 for giving her a chance to exhibit a show of a larger body of her prints for the first time. 

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Ms. Brooks lives in Freedom, NH with her husband , Chuck and their Newfoundland, Winslow. She is presently represented by Gallery 302 and the Freedom Gallery in Freedom.