Rebecca Volkmann

Lives and works in Tucson, AZ, USA

Artist statement

My work investigates dreams, poetry, relationships, and place as a woman and creator. My process is based in experimentation and is by nature intuitive. My focus is on careful observation and what comes out in the painting itself through color, layering, poetry, and texture. The most difficult risk is to not be afraid to work over the original image, yet show remnants of what once lay beneath. My painting process sometimes imbues elements of collage using photographs, old monoprints on Japanese calligraphy paper, and is transformative as I explore other formats and ways to incorporate figuration and narrative. The environment that surrounds the figure(s) is often inspired by the environment where I live in Arizona. Recent works incorporate collage of my own digital photos. The theme of many of these new works is the female as a heroine and her strength. I investigate relationships and the intimate and raw energy of love and life. There is life in dreams, intuition, and exploration with the painting process. My natural inclination is towards obsessiveness with completing my work and in the process of “overdoing” something, the piece reverts back to simplicity with some elements remaining of its beginnings. Going forward, I will be investigating new formats incorporating other materials and mixed media and experiential elements.

Artwork