her passion for flowers, a subject she describes as being filled with “mystery, complexity, and beauty.” Through her work, Bigeleisen aims to capture and immortalize the fleeting effects of natural phenomena.
Her artistic process begins with her own photographs of flowers, ensuring that she captures them “in just the right light” to reveal their intricate character, fragility, and voluptuousness. Whether traveling to renowned botanical gardens, like her favorite rose garden at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada, or simply studying flowers closer to home, Bigeleisen seeks to preserve and emphasize the beauty she sees.
Beyond Botanical Illustration: The Evolution of Bigeleisen's Flowers
Although her subject matter remains centered on flowers,
Bigeleisen’s art transcends traditional botanical illustration. She transforms these natural forms into explorations of texture, color, and form that evoke both the sensuality and ephemeral quality of life itself. A 2002 review in *The Desert Sun* captured the essence of her work, describing how she approaches each flower with affection, carefully recording every detail of its texture and shape. Her paintings focus on a single bloom, magnified and isolated, demanding the viewer’s full attention.
Bigeleisen’s technique is notable for its painterly quality, which belies the fact that her seemingly smooth, buttery surfaces are created using multiple transparent washes and layers of opaque paint. She employs the same glazing techniques used by 17th-century Dutch masters to create depth, luminosity, and an almost ethereal glow. These techniques, combined with her sophisticated understanding of color and form, allow her to evoke both mystery and delight, simplifying the flower's geometry to its most essential elements. The result is an elegant economy of form that draws the viewer deeper into the painting, inviting contemplation.
The Influence of Fractals on Bigeleisen's Vision
Bigeleisen’s introduction to fractals, a concept derived from mathematics that reveals the self-similar patterns present in nature, profoundly influenced her artistic vision. In her work, flowers become more than just beautiful objects; they are dynamic systems existing within a chaotic universe, filled with energy, turbulence, and mystery. By peeling away the layers of the flower and magnifying it to its core, Bigeleisen exposes the depth of its anatomy, its movement, and its inherent unpredictability.
Her paintings hover between abstraction and representation, oscillating between familiar floral imagery and more abstract, geometric interpretations of natural forms. Light and dark play crucial roles in her work, with highlights dancing off the canvas, while shadows invite the viewer deeper into the painting, as if entering a mysterious cave. The viewer is lured into these darkened interiors, much like an insect might be drawn to the center of a bloom. This dynamic interplay of light and shadow gives her work a timeless, almost magical quality that mirrors the unpredictability of life itself.
The Kaleidoscope and Dreamscape Series: A Modern Exploration of Nature and Technology
Bigeleisen’s artistic journey led her to create two distinct series: *Kaleidoscope* and *Dreamscape*, both of which explore the intersection of nature and the digital age. In the *Kaleidoscope* series, she combines the classical beauty of flowers with abstract textures and geometric planes, symbolizing the impact that technology and global events have on eroding traditional norms. The flowers in this series serve as a reminder of our deep connection to nature, even as the world around us becomes increasingly driven by technology.
The *Dreamscape* series continues her exploration of the intimate relationship between humanity and nature. Here, Bigeleisen delves deeper into the cycles of life and the impact of human activity on the environment. Her work in this series reflects a profound understanding of the interconnectedness between people and the natural world. Through her use of color, texture, and form, Bigeleisen creates a visual dialogue that encourages viewers to contemplate their own relationship with nature.
A Master of Technique and Process
Bigeleisen’s technique is rooted in the labor-intensive practices of the Dutch master painters. She applies upwards of 20 layers of transparent paint to achieve the depth and luminosity that characterize her work. This painstaking process results in richly saturated darks and vibrant highlights that give her paintings a sense of movement and life. For Bigeleisen, the creative process is an immersive experience. Each painting is a journey, filled with serendipitous accidents and challenges that often take the finished work in unexpected directions. She embraces the unpredictability of the creative process, cherishing the way it mirrors the unpredictability of life.
Her paintings are more than just representations of flowers; they are emotional and intellectual explorations of form, color, and light. Bigeleisen’s work challenges the viewer to engage with the painting on a deeper level, to look beyond the surface and explore the layers of meaning hidden within.
A New Perspective on Nature and Art
Deborah Bigeleisen’s art is a testament to her deep connection with the natural world and her ability to translate that connection into powerful, evocative works of art. Her flowers are not simply beautiful objects; they are symbols of the complexity, mystery, and transitory nature of life itself. Through her use of fractals, glazing techniques, and a keen understanding of color and form, Bigeleisen creates paintings that hover between abstraction and representation, inviting the viewer to explore the myriad complexities of nature.
In a world increasingly driven by technology, Bigeleisen’s work reminds us of the importance of remaining rooted in nature, of taking the time to appreciate the beauty and mystery that surrounds us. Her paintings invite us on a journey—one filled with energy, movement, and mystery—a journey that ultimately leads us to a deeper understanding of both the natural world and our place within it.
If you are interested in
Deborah Bgeleisen floral art or contemporary art for sale, shop at the
leading artist gallery in Aspen, Royal Street Fine Art, or call 970-920-3371.
Read Less
