Vignette: Teri Dryden

“I move between intuition and logic; chaos and order.” – Teri Dryden

"Arroyo Seco" by Teri Dryden, collage on panel, 18x24in, 2017

 Teri Dryden has worked in several mediums, and her most recent transition was from a concentration on collage to Abstract Expressionist painting. In these examples, we see how her collage technique conveys a sense of memory, in that that materials peel back to reveal layers of history in the way that an aging wall might. Dryden is inspired by European architecture and has been known to use forgotten posters papered over multiple times culled from those very walls.      

Yet the work is never dusty or antiquated. Although it knowingly references the past, it is entirely fresh and new in its impact; created for the moment. Dryden invigorates her surface through a kinetic process: “I plunge into each piece of work as if it were an adventure into the unknown. With no specific outcome in mind, I respond to the changes in the picture as I explore and interact with materials by layering paint and paper, scratching, sanding, and marking, creating open spaces, altering and adjusting. I move between intuition and logic; chaos and order. Being aware and open, taking risks with the materials, as well as the struggle itself allows me to be in the moment to reflect and interpret a history that evolves on the canvas before my eyes.”

"Line Study," by Teri Dryden, acrylic on paper, 48x30in, 2017, $450

In her paintings, the energetic mark making nearly explodes off of the surface. “Line Study” gives us a glimpse of the artist’s unchecked enthusiasm, a vital, almost assaultive lay down of, bold and vigorous graphics. In “Gypsy Tango,” the energy is only tempered slightly by the layers of vivid acrylic color built up on the mounted paper surface. In both instances, it is not difficult to imagine the artist in action, sweeping gestures of the hand meeting the substrate, leaving a palpable presence in the finished work.

Dryden just returned from showing her work at the Objects of Art Santa Fe 2017 in New Mexico. Presently, she has work in a group landscape show at New Editions Gallery in Lexington. In addition, for the month of October, she will have work at the Robert-Brandt Gallery in Columbus, Ohio for a juried invitational featuring abstract art.

Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Education: Towson University
Website: http://www.teridryden.com
Gallery Representative: View Gallery (Jackson, MS); New Editions, (Lexington, KY); B. Deemer (Louisville, KY); Contemporain Gallery, (Baton Rouge, LA)

"Gypsy Tango," by Teri Dryden, acrylic on paper, mounted on panel and framed, 47x36in, 2017

"Buena Vista", by Teri Dryden, collage on panel, 18x24in, 2017

"Shift," by Teri Dryden, acrylic on canvas, 20x20in, 2017

Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2017 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

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Vignette: Teri Dryden

"Echo" by Teri Dryden, 40x40in, acrylic on canvas, $2400 | BUY NOW

A line disintegrates into a smudge, which then blends into a new color, while an opposing stroke swipes across the canvas with ferocity. Teri Dryden works from such an intuitive, emotional creative spark that her paintings can only be seen as Abstract Expressionism, but, as with many such artists, the phrase seems limiting and only useful for academic discussion. The Museum Of Modern Art describes it this way: “The varied work produced by the Abstract Expressionists resists definition as a cohesive style; instead, these artists shared an interest in using abstraction to convey strong emotional or expressive content.”

That explanation certainly would seek to capture Dryden’s own action painting, with vigorous marks and color choices that invite the viewer to read a confluence of emotions applied to the canvas with a modicum of intellectual framework. “Echo” feels sunny and optimistic, full of hope, while “Twist and Shout” explores anxious energy in restricted release.

"Dive In" by Teri Dryden, 36x48in, acrylic on canvas, $2500 | BUY NOW

"Arden" by Teri Dryden, 40x40in, acrylic on canvas, $2400 | BUY NOW

“My artwork is process oriented. I begin each picture with a line. I have no specific outcome in mind. I respond to the changes in the painting as I explore and interact with materials by layering paint and paper, scratching, sanding and marking, creating open spaces, altering and adjusting. I move between intuition and logic, chaos and order. Being aware and open, taking risks with the materials, as well as the struggle itself allows me to have a more meaningful painting experience and often leads to a greater self-awareness. My goal is to create work that is authentic and genuine.”

Dryden is currently part of a group show called "Mix it Up", New Work by Gallery Artists at New Editions Gallery in Lexington, now through October 2016. 

Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Age: 58
Education: Towson University
Website: http://www.teridryden.com
Gallery Representative: View Gallery (Jackson, MS); New Editions, (Lexington, KY); B. Deemer (Louisville, KY)

"Sunday Afternoon Promenade" by Teri Dryden, 24x30in, acrylic on canvas, $1400 | BUY NOW

"Twist And Shout" by Teri Dryden, 40x40in, acrylic on canvas, $2400 | BUY NOW

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Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2016 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved.

Please contact josh@louisvillevisualart.org for further information on advertising through Artebella.