ARTIST STATEMENT- Gretchen Treitz, KWS

I cannot mix white with any kind of paint! Thankfully, my art professors in New York City told me I had a knack for watercolors. I only saw those paintings only as a tool to plan out my large oil paintings. On their advice, I ditched my oils and developed my bent for watercolor. Shortly afterwards, awards and honors affirmed my decision. I have been using this luscious medium ever since. To lighten a color, I only need water and the paper!

There is nothing more magical to me than a saturated brush flowing over watercolor paper. It is a balancing act between control and surprise, but that’s the fun of watercolor painting! There is a real joy in the seemingly spiritual process of its spontaneity. My nature paintings hopefully personify a similar resiliency and fragility. For me, trees and flowers are a metaphor of the soul. They seem to act like a perfect being in adversity. Their endurance, growth and mystery inspire me. Whether it be a delicate rose, a steadfast oak, or a tiny sparrow, I can relate to their perseverance in weathering the elements. The Kentucky National and State Champion Trees are some of the subjects of my current work. My versions of these trees hopefully embody the wonder and spirit of these majestic trees. It is my wish my tree pieces bring awareness to Kentucky's air quality, biodiversity, local climate, energy, and natural heritage. My flower paintings are also symbolic of the fragile nature of life.

During the early days of covid, I went outside for a walk to settle my nerves. Soon, I heard a bird chirping. I looked up, and there in a tree was a sparrow, singing with no cares in the world! I immediately thought of the verse about sparrows that illustrates God’s awareness and care of my life and anxieties. Right away, I felt peace. Ever since then, I have painted a sparrow in each of my paintings. See if you can find them!

Recently, I have been experimenting with sterling silver, white, and yellow gold leaf to represent light. Over the centuries, artist have used metal leafs to symbolize the heavens. I, too, use them to search for the divine in nature and the cosmos. For me, light is life. Whether it be the luminosity of a metal leaf, or the sheen of translucent watercolor, I want my work to express my wonder of creation.