This series derived from walks along the open fields by the Kansas River. Upon moving back to Lawrence after so many years living in New York City, I found inspiration from the great care farmers take with the fields. Mimicing what happens in nature, farmers burn these large pieces of land and let them rest a season, a re-fertilization period known as a fallow. What happens when one applies this idea to oneʼs own life? This notion inspired my work. Each piece is a
documentation of the journey through frenzied burns to peaceful groundings in my work and life. I am awed that one can be guided so clearly through watching the nature that surrounds us all.

I began by looking up words in an old dictionary. Words from the yellowed pages flowed out to me. Duel or more definitions of these fascinated me, as I lay them into work and writing began to flow from my pallet knife. As a child I created my own letter system by mathematically dissecting the alphabet and reforming the letters, so as to hide thoughts in secret journals. These hieroglyphic scrawls often appear scratched maniacally into the layers upon layers of paint. I began to see pyramids rise up out of the fields and reach towards an impossible feat: leaving ground. I started looking up the symbolism in these paintings after each was completed. The empty fields, the cooling ground, then later came the crashing water and finally, grounded in earth. I came to see this journey through the symbolism of a compass, each direction carrying its own hidden meaning.

Though trained in a traditional and realistic style, I have come to take great pleasure in the raw and soulful process of working rather than concern of the outcome of each painting. The joy of tapping into the vulnerable and human honestly that comes to those who fall into the creative trance. Working only with a pallet knife, these are done in oil and minimal collage elements from a treasured old dictionary.

Clare Doveton was born and raised in Lawrence, KS. She moved to New York City in 1994, where she received her BFA in Fine Arts Painting at Parsons School of Art and Design. Doveton has shown in galleries in both New York City and San Francisco. She moved back to Lawrence in 2004. Doveton has upcoming shows in San Francisco, New York
City, Zagreb, and Maribor.

For pricing and purchase information call or email Sheila Wilkins at Fields Fine Art