Barbara Roston

Colour! That's what captures my imagination...beautiful, lush, intense colour. A watercolour painter for many years, the immediacy of dry pastels has become a new love. Luscious colours in the palm of my hand!  The New Orleans Drawing Group on-line sessions not only provided a welcome respite during COVID, but also an ideal opportunity to explore the use of colour by expanding beyond the figure to include a variety of settings, each one unique. From 19th century fireplaces to comfortable sofas, staircases and even caretaker closets, each setting offered a chance to juxtapose architectural features with the softer contours of each model. Together with light, shadows and colour intensity, these environments provided the freedom to re-imagine three-dimensional spaces to beckon the viewer. Yet, despite the treasure trove of models and environments, the distant gaze of each model remains a constant, and while I do not strive to capture an exact likeness, I do try to capture that far-off look in the hopes that the viewer too, might be drawn in and pause to consider not only the colours, shadows, and mood, but also what might be behind the facade. 

Ontario

Canada