Bootsie
Paintings
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A self-taught painter, Crawford began in the early 90's with
the goal to make art reflective of modern day life. Her work, although not
representational, often refers to the streamlined designs of the 50's. By
exploring the relationship between color and form, familiar objects are
transformed into hybrids, strange and often ordinary shapes elude recognition.
"Jazz and the modernist movement are major factors in my work. I see it as
having subdued coolness about it."
Her paintings definitely have a feel of the past, a somewhat rhythmic
counterpoint, in which a few large shapes play against numerous smaller ones.
Behind such juxtapositions one senses pictorial intelligence, like that of a
composer whose simplest melodies are packed with crafty hints and nuances. These
high-modernist compositions are the backdrop for muted earth shades and vibrant
hues to meld, creating a slightly off balance color scheme.
Shapes and forms gently bleed into one another making feathery glazes one moment
then sharp-edged areas the next. No single reference dominates. The gradual
changes in tone and texture are created by using acrylic paint, sand and a heavy
gloss medium that is applied by brush and palette knife. The entire painting is
then covered with a black glaze which seeps deep into the painting's pores. More
paint is then applied over the glaze to enhance the color. Red and yellow tints
are applied to create depth. This process is repeated several times until the
painting reaches the desired look.
As far as Crawford is concerned, working back and forth is what brings the
painting to life. Crawford also works in what has been called "infused collage".
Using words, letters and modern graphics she creates striking arrangements full
of humor and subtle messages. It's about taking certain ideas and organizing
them to create a collision of imagery, the illusion of a visual accident. More
than a collage or painting, these works are a marriage of the two. Having no
remnant of paper, these pieces are made entirely of acrylic.
Crawford's work is now being introduced throughout the United States and is
scheduled for numerous work exhibitions in the near future.
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