I chase physical beauty, emotion, humor and a self-conscious awareness in my work. I strive for an image that is physically striking to look at, one that lures the viewer into the work with a sense of realism and recognition of imagery. Through the use of dramatic lighting, cropped compositions and a sense of intrinsic or natural beauty of the medium used along with the subject matter, I invite the viewer to peer into my window.

The stage set for much of my subject matter is loaded with sexuality and a voyeuristic quality that I hope will engage an emotional, self-conscious impulse with the viewer, making them an active, self-critical participant in a reflective moment of personal moral judgment …hopefully with a humorous aftertaste.

Over the past five years, I have been working almost exclusively with dry media, creating finished drawings in charcoal, pastel and graphite. Much of the imagery is monochromatic and largely devoid of color. Working in this manner has more directly defined my sense of light, form, shape and effective compositional approaches. It also builds a healthy anticipation and respect for the use and knowledge of color. In an effort to introduce color back into the black and white drawings, I have been experimenting with shellac and a variety of oil and water based varnishes infused with pigment that I use in veils of color that engulf the whole drawing or selected areas.

Having eliminated the use of color for such a period of time, has actually taught me think more about color and what it can bring at almost every sitting. Now, after a long hiatus, the use of combined color has reentered my world like an old friend that never really left my mind. Luckily, it hasn't forgotten me either.

Bret Gottschall