Artist's Statement

Sandra Clisham Bartz


The majority of my paintings are created plein aire. After months of observation and evaluating colors in the landscapes my concept turned toward the negative impact we have made on the environment. The pivotal point came in midsummer, while painting the view of the city of Buffalo from the hilltop of Chestnut Ridge Park. The vantage point is about fifteen miles south of the city and though it was a beautiful summer day, the vista was obscured by air pollution. In the theory of atmospheric perspective the distant objects become less intense in color, but these colors had tints of red. Hues of pink and violet hovered over the city, and I felt this to be more ominous than tranquil as it should have been on that pleasant summer day. The title for the painting, "Index 151", reflects my thoughts. After researching air quality levels, I discovered that when the scientific reading of the air index reached 151, the outdoor air is then considered unsafe for even a healthy human to venture outside. The colors in the sky are slightly exaggerated, and there is no form of any human life in the painting.
    
I feel we all inhabit this planet and should protect it in every way we can. Voicing my opinion in an aesthetic manner helps to keep the issues open for people to think about, but I have difficulty in the making of this art. The reason is the contradiction I struggle with about the pollution that I contribute during the process of some of this art making. Many materials are toxic. Casting metal emits pollution especially during the iron pours. So the decision to continue is pertinent, but better solutions for processing and safer materials will play a prominent role in my continued development. Painting is the lesser of the pollutants and my stronger medium, and reminding everyone of the frailty of the earth is the goal of my work.