Deirdre Schanen

My paintings reflect my childhood on the shores of Lake Michigan. They explore the tension of the lake's serene vastness with the complex confusion of the rocks and detritus washed up upon its shores.

My canvases are not planned but develop while I work on them. I never know how or where they will end but trust that ultimately, they will contain my experiences. I begin with pencil or ink markings and paint drips. I continue to add layer after layer of glaze, paint and markings. The underpainting is as important to me as the final layer of paint.

I perform a dance with my canvas through these spontaneous interactions. I never know where it will lead me or when my dance will be finished.