February 15 - 17, 2013
Charleston, SC
2013 SEWE Gallery
These artists are for the 2013 SEWE weekend. Click here for all 2012 artists!
Madeline Dukes
A South Carolina native and Charleston area resident, Madeline Dukes studied studio art and political science at Winthrop University. Dukes’ work has been featured in both group and two man shows throughout the Carolinas. Additionally, Dukes’ work has been selected for several group and juried shows at museums and cultural centers in North and South Carolina, including the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Juried Art Exhibition, the Spartanburg Museum of Art, Lincoln County Museum, Sumter Museum of Art, McElvey Center, Mooresville Art Center, Pickens County Museum, the Rauch Gallery at Gaston College, and a traveling show with the South Carolina State Museum. Her work has also appeared in fine art publications, Fine Art Connoisseur and American Art Collector.
Landscapes, “nature portraits”, and the figure are the subjects of her paintings. Although Dukes completes most work within her studio, she does employ an interactive process of observation in nature to capture color, form, and, most importantly, light. For her, this is where the painting begins – outside or from the live model. A connection with the subject must happen. Once this connection is made, she sketches, paints, photographs, and makes notes of her experiences. While some work is completed on location, she usually brings these observations into the “indoor” studio.
"I approach each painting as a portrait and am fascinated by the movement and relationships between the subject and its environment. Nothing is still. Something kinetic is always going on between the two and I want to communicate that as well as capture the personality of the subject, the day, and the light. Nature provides the inspiration.
I work mostly in oils and oil sticks. My brush work ranges from thick to thin on any given painting and I will layer, scratch, scrape, and make marks to portray the energy and atmosphere of the subject. My goals are to “construct” with the paint while pushing both the paint and the imagery.
During the painting process I incorporate a method of painting intuitively while stepping back and resolving any technical issues along the way. A kind of synchronization occurs while I work. This method of painting ultimately gets me to the place I want to be. It is here that I know I am producing my most interesting work. This is the balance I enjoy and this is how I paint."
Artist Hometown: North Charleston, SC
Artist Email: madelinedukes@hotmail.com
Artist's Website: Madeline Dukes