Juni Van Dyke, On Being a Colorist:
As an abstract painter, my joy is color. Years ago, when I was a student, an esteemed artist who was teaching said to me, “You are a colorist.” And my heart skipped a beat.
It has been said that one can live in the dreariest corners of the world all the while performing color miracles on the dreariest of days. German artists Nolde and Kandinsky did just that during the dark impending doom of war, suggesting color to be more a matter of preference for expression rather than allegiance to source. Perhaps, color for these courageous artists was embedded in a sense of optimism and hope despite all odds.
I am blessed to live on Cape Ann where the geography and the light has informed my work for many years. The natural beauty of Cape Ann sweeping across granite under foot, coastal views, hillside vistas—Cape Ann is an ever present force in my work. On the way to my city job in Gloucester, I travel over the Annisquam River bridge where the ocean below is an ever changing marvel of light and activity awaiting my interpretation. Using abstract forms, I invite the viewer to experience my work without interruption of title. Energized by the interaction, I find viewer interpretation fascinating and exciting—valid without exception.
From my earliest years, I have always loved color; patten-leather shoes, shiny black like a candy you wanted to taste—a pink dress that belonged to someone else—bright yellow soap—an orange crayon—these held my attention, not so much for what they were as for the magic of their color. Now, into my eighties, color still motivates my need to share the joy.
