The paintings of Lois Dickson reflect an ongoing interest in the natural world, from subject matter monumental in scale—glaciers and geysers of Chilean Patagonia—to a sphere of radically inverse proportion: the micro cosmos of butterfly wings. Woodland scenes and the rich detritus of the forest floor also serve as departure points for Dickson’s painterly abstractions. The physicality of her painting process is always in evidence, as are themes of renewal and decay. Despite the overtly organic nature of her subject matter, there is an underlying geometry that underscores her investigation of form in its fluid and static state. The more recent work moves from observation to the very process of painting itself. One hopes the paintings engage the viewer in a way that invites multiple readings and a wide range of personal interpretations.
Lois Dickson received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, a Master of Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Art and Honors in Drawing from the New York Studio School’s full time Certificate Program. She has exhibited extensively the Northeast, including six solo shows at the John Davis Gallery, NY; a solo show at North Point Gallery, NY; and The Witherspoon Gallery, NJ. Selected Group Exhibitions include: Nina Nielsen Gallery; John Davis Gallery; The Prince Street Gallery; The Bowery Gallery; Art and Democracy Gallery; The New York Studio School, and The Painting Center. Lois Dickson’s most recent one-person exhibition was with Pamela Salisbury Gallery, Hudson, NY in 2022.
“These paintings are constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed over days, weeks, often years – yet I hope the final iteration is freshly felt.
“My interest continues to be primarily in color, structure, the parts to the whole. Images emerge through the process of painting itself, which lends an unexpected narrative to the work.
“I’m always happy when humor finds its way into the mix.”
~ Lois Dickson
“It is a landscape that has the full impact within an abstract format. Somehow, the underlying grid gives a structure that is both exciting and unifying. The natural landscape of meadow, earth and rocks is in place, but with a lively energy and unexpected juxtaposition of elements. Rather than a feeling of perspective, distance, it has a frontal feeling.”
~ Linda Cross, 9/20/22, on Strange Place in Near and Far
“Your paintings are so inspiring to me. In fact, you are. I guess I met you in the early 1990’s, so I’ve been witness to your evolution for 30 years. You seem to have it all right now. So loose and free to take inspiration from within and without. Percept and concept, in a very good strong way. I see now the tracks of your connection to geometry, I like that you’re open to its presence. But you have married it so well to light and rhythm and space and your beautiful peronal necessities of touch.
“Touche!”