Bette Ridgeway
“My paintings are a spontaneous occurrence, born out of the experience, but maturing reflexively in the process of creation. My technique is controlled improvisation. Gravity is my medium. Images are caught with intent.”
My unusual pouring technique has been developed and refined over five decades. I worked figuratively for a long time, but I realized that painting what I was seeing was not challenging enough. I wanted to paint from the inside - my thoughts and my feelings.
When I saw the huge, colorful work of Paul Jenkins, it brought me to my knees. Fortunately I was introduced to him in 1979 and when he saw my watercolors he advised me to eliminate subject matter, work large and focus on color, space and time. Taking his advice, it took nine years of work to achieve anything acceptable. When, in 1988 Jenkins said, “You’re ready for a show”, I nearly fainted. A beautiful gallery in Alexandria, Virginia offered me a solo exhibit. It sold out and that was the beginning of a long and exciting career.
My work is now in a dozen galleries and international awards are fueling my career, for which I'm very grateful.
