Dertner, Erin

Painting, studying and teaching the subject of light is Erin’s driving force. The cool shadows of the early morning and those that fall long and warm in the evening enliven her creative soul as nothing else. Subject matter is secondary to the sunlight itself, though her locations speak volumes about God’s wondrous world of color, drama and mystery.

Travel has played a formidable role in her development as she relishes each opportunity to explore the warm European environs of Greece, France and Italy as well the Hawaiian and British Isles and choice locations within America. She has also studied with many well known artists since 1982 in a myriad of inspirational places.

As she reaches further to simplify and suggest detail, her allegiance rests more and more with the impressionist school, and this struggle to be honest and deliberate continues to result in images that reflect peace and a yearning for stillness in a world that is often discordant. Her studio on California’s dramatic and inspirational north coast is well broken in, though she relishes painting en plein air since it allows her to capture the essence of a place by more passionately communicating its light, temperature, color and mood. Most of her current works are in oil, but she is also an experienced watercolorist and has enjoyed dry pastel and acrylics as well.

Born in 1957 and a native Californian, Erin has two grown sons who are artistic, musical and adventurous. Her husband is her business partner, acting as agent and picture framer. Her work is seen in a variety of galleries and collected around the world both as originals and reproductions. It is a full plate balancing the schedules of location and studio work, travel, teaching, studying, and working with art publishers as well as joyous family and social gatherings. According to Erin, “There is no better life than to study the world with paintbrush in hand and a heart full of love and gratitude.”