Stacey L. Richwine-DeRome, aka Ruby Door, is an abstract artist who currently resides in Indiana. Her Midwestern background has been emphasized as it is the root of her life as a visual artist.

“I've lived in the American Midwest all of my life. Greatly inspired by my parent's creative spirit, I share their enthusiasm in making the world a little more beautiful.”

She earned her BFA at Herron School of Art, Indiana University. Through numerous student shows; she has presented work every year from 1992-1995 and at a recent 2007 exhibition for Alumni. Additionally, her work has been displayed ..ed bowls featured in galleries such as The Iron Horse in Carmel; Chathams on the Avenue in Indianapolis; and The Bungalow in Broad Ripple.

Her primary focus is the painting itself – with layers of dappled texture and color in a unique way that only she can interpret.

“Each painting is a release of emotional energy that reveals itself to me as I paint.”

Her primary influences have been: Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Antoni Gaudi, and Claude Monet. Nuances of these painters can be seen as silk threads running through the core of her paintings. Presented are stylized waterscapes, with flowing patterns, color upon color; or the eyes of peacock feathers, in stunning detail with a vivid captivity of light among the textural foundations she creates. As a result, these paintings have been the most sought after among collectors of her work.

“We are all swimming amongst each other in the sea of life.”

The work she creates evolves from organic sources found in nature: the variation of texture, the multiple layers of color and patterns, and the fluidity, “tiny swirls, the ever-changing patterns.” As central themes, her position is one that records these unique aspects of nature and reflects them in a unique way; one that breathes life into the subject highlighting its most special components. A recurring topic has been water and another has been peacocks. In her words, “Water and peacocks are two constant themes in my work. Water is my calmness and represents adaptability. Peacocks depict natural beauty, design, and vanity.” Her painting style employs multiple layers of transparent color that tease the light.

“The obsession of painting water started with a simple observation. I was walking by the community swimming pool at my apartment complex and looked at the top of the water. I was intrigued by the swirling pattern. I immediately recalled Klimt's paintings when I looked at the many tiny swirls of water. I loved the fluidity, the ever-changing pattern. It wasn't the reflection of sky and clouds or any other refracted image. It was solely the water that peaked my interest.”

The combinations of all of these elements are what make her art visually impressive. There is also a very unique and completely original texture that is created in her artistic process. She states: “I am extremely grounded in nature and organic form.” The process of any art is crucial to understanding the original motive of the artist. Stacey’s work is no exception in that her work is indeed a process, a selection of nature’s most beautiful organic forms interpreted exclusively through her creation.

“The peacock emerged from the water studies I had been painting for 2 years. Now, I see myself as the peacock. There is a bit of peacock in all of us: beauty, elegance, pride, and ego. Some peacocks lead, other follow, and still there are the special ones that drum out their own path.”

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other places to find me...
[link] (flickr)
[link] (myspace)
[link] (yessy)