Joy Ride 4 Painting

Grethe's subjects are moods, thoughts, emotions, and freedom. She presents her subject matter in the form of faces, figures, and non-objective compositions. She strives to create not an exactness of a person or subject, but to draw attention to its inner power and mystery. Abstract yet real, often larger than life, rich in colour, approached in the spirit of exploration and experimentation, moody. Her paintings begin with layer upon layer of paint and other materials applied intuitively to the canvas. With the addition of each new layer, the under layers are rejuvenated and enhanced. The surface of the canvas is thus built up until it is both satisfying and exciting, leading to the final stage: working from a life model or a photograph, she continues to add to and manipulate the surface until the image and mood emerge, but stopping before all is revealed, always leaving that element of mystery.