Gallery of Retrospective Work
A Retrospective Exhibition
Oversize Paintings
Limited Edition
Prints
Vancouver Exhibition
Nov-Dec 1996
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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
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