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Artist Statement
My latest body of work is an effort to rely upon
the historical theories and techniques of abstract expressionism
as a backdrop for expansion. Abstract painter, Sam Gilliam came
to my studio last year to select work for “Contemporary Color:
Contemporary Artists and The Color School Legacy”, which
he curated. During his visit and subsequent conversations, he
has repeatedly asked two things of me. “Rosetta, don’t
be a black artist; be a great artist!” he said slowly annunciating
each syllable and word. Secondly, he instructed, “Keep it
fresh, and keep it new, study, read!” Therefore, the reading
desk and bookcase in my studio have become tools as essential
to me as my easels.
While remaining true to Jackson Pollock, I have
worked diligently to develop my own style within the genres of
abstract expressionism, action painting and Colour Field. Like
Pollock, I prefer the floor to the easel; although I use both.
I begin with an underlying painting created by using brushstrokes,
gestural strokes, spoons, turkey basters, forks, sticks, dripping,
pouring and throwing liquid pigments. But, the most important
tool is my gloved hand. I use my hand to push, pull, create thick
vs. thin, narrow or wide lines of varied colored pigment, never
relinquishing control. I aim to mix color, energy, spatial ambiguity,
gestural strokes, and madness to push my work to new boundaries.
I do not accept the first level of imagery. I continuously add
numerous layers to the existing satisfactory work until I reach
excellence. My recent works are demonstrative of my effort to
take an old genre and make it look new and fresh by adding depth
and dimension. Acknowledging that I have only met one of Mr. Gilliam’s
criteria; therefore I will continue on my journey adding more
layers, reading, expanding and striving for greatness.
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