Constance Moore Simon
Artist’s Statement
I have been working in the medium of gouache paint since 2001. Before that, I worked in charcoal, and graphite and eventually colored pencil as I developed a love of color that led me to begin painting.
Tape paintings:The paintings in this section represent a group of tromp-l’oeil images evolved from an earlier still-life style. A visit to Spain intensified my attraction to Islamic tile patterns and geometric patterns in general. I explored that interest in these paintings and such patterns eventually became my main focus. I am especially intrigued by a play between 2D patterns and 3D illusions
Grid series:I am especially drawn to tile and textile patterns from the around the world. Many that I admire are based on grid structures. My most recent paintings are similarly based on grid structures. The grid serves as a unifying starting theme for me from which to play with variations of color, light, and volume. It also has a hypnotic order itself that pleases me.
Although there are no representational objects in these paintings as there once were when I worked in a still-life style, observation of the visual world is still a part of my process. The play of light and color in the world around me is often an indirect starting point and always an inspiration.
Arches series:I am drawn to architecture as a source of appealing geometric shapes and rich textures. I began exploring arch shapes as a side motif beginning about 2014. The arch is in itself a beautiful shape that additionally echoes with overtones of history and culture that resonate with me. Additionally, the observation of old stone walls inspired me to explore the element of texture in this series.