Monica Jane Rich

Artist Statement As a formally trained architect I learned about design and construction. As an artist, I became fascinated by nature’s architecture. Many of my pieces explore the texture of nature. I set up my own still lifes and paint directly from them. Though I used to paint in oils, when I returned to painting, I felt strongly about using environmentally friendly paints and turned to gouache. I build up the surface of the paintings gradually. I start with a very diluted layer of gouache and build up progressively which is how I achieve opacity and texture. Though I might make a quick sketch in situe, I work mostly from photographs. I have done commissions from other people’s photos, but mostly use my own.