Art Musings from inside the Bubble: Erin Dertner

SmithKlein Gallery is presenting a show featuring new works by renowned oil painter, Erin Dertner.

Stop in at 1116 Pearl Street to see the display. The show will continue through the end of the month.

Symphony of Spring by Erin Dertner

More about the artist:

Erin Dertner

At the age of nine, Erin Dertner knew she wanted to be an artist. Inspired by the beautiful California sunlight and nearby bodies of water, she began learning to paint. Her mother was her first teacher, but Erin soon received extensive training from renowned teachers including Marlin Simandle, Edward Betts, Kim English, Ovanes Berberian, La Vere Hutchings, Gail Chase-Bien, Ted Goerschner, Hope Stevenson, and others. As Erin’s career evolved, she began teaching and is now known for her extraordinary use of light on canvas. Teaching workshops allows Erin to share her zeal for painting.

Though she is accomplished in watercolor, acrylic and dry pastel, Erin is currently focused primarily on oil. She works with both a brush and a palette knife, but she has been working more and more with the latter, creating rich vibrant images reminiscent of the great impressionists. Encouraged by SmithKlein Gallery to continue her palette knife technique, Erin has matured into a skilled artist. Erin’s work is honest and deliberate. By building her work in many layers of paint, she achieves depth and a deep perspective unlike any other. Erin paints with passion, capturing the essence of a location by painting en plein air. Texture, mood, color and light are translated into a harmonious creation that allows the viewer to be transported directly to the scene. Erin’s travels provide her with ample opportunity to learn and grow as an artist as she explores other environments and climates in France, Italy, Greece and choice locations in the United States.

Erin has been painting for over forty years. She is featured in several prestigious galleries and has sold many paintings over the years. She and her husband currently own a gallery on the West Coast. They have two grown sons who follow in their mother’s footsteps by being both artistic and adventurous. 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.”