Rice Paper Painting

Monika Dery

Tel: 203 371 0047

This is my story....

I was born in Germany in 1947 and came to Canada at the age of 4. I began painting in high school but was forced to turn to more "normal" pursuits afterwards, so I attended Business College and opened my first business, a travel agency, at the age of 29 when my children reached school age, with the help of my husband.

The travel industry became my life (next to family) for the next 25 years and owning a travel agency gave me the opportunity to see the world and gather enough photos to satisfy my painterly instincts for the rest of my life. I wrote a weekly travel column for our local newspaper for over 7 years.

My art involvement after attending two years of university art classes evolved into a fifteen year pottery studio business (small sideline.) I only began to paint again three years ago when I started taking every art class available and developed a love for watercolour on rice paper. This became my obsession.

I am now deeply involved with fine art as the Publicity Manager of the Hinton Art Club, 2nd Vice-President of the Alberta Community Art Clubs Association (a provincial board) and secretary on the city Arts Council. I write a column in the local newspaper on Arts and Culture. I host a weekly Arts Focus television show on local cable TV. And, yes, I certainly do still find time to paint...

My work can be found in art galleries in Alberta in Jasper, Hinton, Edson, Edmonton, Calgary and online. From our Northern Zone ACACA provincial competition, one of my paintings was chosen for a province-wide show last year. I have paintings in private collections in various parts of the world including Canada, the US, Japan and New Zealand. I also display paintings in several hotels in the tourist area around Jasper National Park.

My first solo show was held for me six weeks last summer in a nearby community. I had over 100 original paintings on display varying from 8 x 10" to 32 x 60".

GALLERY

Artist Statement

The Water color paintings on Japanese rice paper are done with a wax resist in the style of batik. The complete surface, as a final step, is covered with wax and then ironed to remove the wax. The resulting painting is similar to a stained glass window and can be displayed to fantastic effect with glass or plexiglas on both sides. The colors are lightfast and can be hung in windows that get some sunlight but not strong rays for 8 hours a day. Currently I have one of these paintings filling a window over the fireplace in direct sunlight and the colors have held fast for over a year which pleases me greatly.