Deanna Clear

I have been painting for 50 years. Between painting with all the time I could muster and making a living as an accountant, I was very busy. I have heard that studying accounting is very beneficial for an artist because it causes one to use both sides of the brain. Possibly most artists would just not wish to do so, but I didn't mind using my analytical abilities.
I prefer to do figurative artwork, although, in most of my paintings there is something in the background that is food for the subconscious. I love oil painting and have carefully studied technique to make my work permanent, and I use only Belgian linen and high quality permanent paints. My subjects are very often from mythology, legends and dreams. I also love painting trees, rocks, birds, flowers and cats but sometimes more from my imagination than from life. I always say my colors have been influenced by the glowing stained glass windows in the churches I attended in my childhood.
When the subject requires a lighter touch, I also paint watercolors, sometimes accompanied by ink drawing,
My style is semi-realistic. In the rare instances in which I paint a living person, I search more for an essence than a very accurate conscious portrait. I did once have my husband sit d...

University of Minnesota