Gallery of Retrospective Work

A Retrospective Exhibition
Oversize Paintings
Limited Edition Prints
Vancouver Exhibition Nov-Dec 1996
Purchasing Info

An Exploration of Change
Deryk Houston

Change and personal growth have always been important to me. My early experiments with watercolour were very timid and looking back on it I know that I was terrified of using any colour. I turned to high realism acrylics and the technical intricacies were helpful to me at that time. On one level at least I knew when I had it right. I was still not able to pinpoint what was missing but I felt an urge to move on shortly after the birth of my first child.

My daughter Amy made a huge difference to my life and the way I understood my place in this world. For the first time it was clear to me why I needed to paint. I returned to watercolours but this time I noticed a rhythm and purpose that was missing in my earlier work.

Painting explorations led me into the remote Rainforests of the Queen Charlotte Islands where I embraced the cycles of nature in all its forms. The rainforest and the rich smell of the rotted undergrowth gave me a sense of this continuum. In order to expand further I turned to other subjects such as the ordinary tulip or the fallen fruit in the wet grass in a mature orchard.

I have learned that change happens when and where you least expect it. An old woman whom I met in the former Soviet Union could not speak English but through a small photo of my baby and the warm touch of her hand we shared intense emotions and distant memories. I knew I was ready for another change.

I wanted to work bolder. I had to express the intensity of the emotions I experienced with the Russian Lady. I switched back to acrylics, working large and fast. I was drawn very much to the works of Emily Carr and found that I was not simply looking over her shoulder but instead felt like I had hold of her brushes. I gained a confidence both in content and in understanding.

Recently I find myself being drawn back to the painting of the Russian lady more than any of my other works. This has led to a series of works dealing with some childhood memories such as in the painting "Boy with Eggs". I need the time to continue with this theme.

I have many shows to my credit. More importantly to me is that I know when I am on the verge of new growth in my work. I also know how important it is to keep focused during change and develop something of value.

The above statement was written by the artist in March, 1996