Courtney Work
Painter
A native Iowan I grew up in Des Moines then
lived for a time in California. When I came
back to Iowa I worked in local restaurants,
while going to college. I attended Drake
University and Iowa State University, where I
earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
drawing, painting and printmaking. I
continued to work for a caterer while
developing art and became a scene and
food prop caterer for the movie “The Bridges
of Madison County”. It was through this
experience I co-authored and illustrated a
cookbook chronicling the recipes and
scenes from the movie. “The Recipes of
Madison County” was a match of food and
art. A theme that would continue in my
journey as an artist.
I began painting fruits and vegetables about
15 years ago. Whether I use acrylics or oil
paints, they have always been a natural way
to express the vibrancy of nature and the
very element that sustains life.
Fruits and vegetables, herbs and flowers
provide art subjects in real time color at its
most elegant and untainted. I am attracted to
the organic subject matter, it allows me to
draw and paint in a fluid way, and provide
endless perspectives of natures most basic
gift.
My other passion in art has always been the
figure. Whether in charcoals, pencil or
paints, much like food, has a vibrancy of life
itself. Movement and shape remind us of the
continuum of life. The elegant body in all its
glorious imperfections.
I continue to expand and apply these same
color rythmns and classic design connections
to new abstract works of art.
When not creating art, my life is full and busy
with my two children and two cats, and my giving
back to the community centers around
children and politics. |
