Born in Katonah, NY, Rebecca Roberts received her B.F.A. from Alfred University and her M.F.A. from The University of Iowa. Her work has been exhibited across Massachusetts at Drive-by Projects, Pianocraft Gallery, and Nearby Gallery. She was also included in issue #98 of New American Paintings, Northeast Edition.
Her studio is at Waltham Mills, in Waltham, Massachusetts, two miles down The Charles River from her home, where she lives with her husband and two sons. In addition to her studio practice, Rebecca is committed to the field of art education and teaches at an independent high school when she’s not in the studio.
Artist statement
I have always been more interested in making paintings about things than paintings of things. I am influenced by light and color in the natural environment, observed while daydreaming out windows, sitting by the ocean, and walking along the Charles River. I grew up surrounded by craft and textiles and have spent a lot of time working with these materials – they also serve as a constant inspiration for me. My studio practice is rooted in exploring color, composition, and the illusion of depth. My recent paintings are made of one section, or stripe of color, at a time, increasing in opacity, from the center out. This system allows me to “weave” the colors together, making small shifts from band to band, so the light at the center remains, and the image as a whole, sparkles. The colors (and titles) come from photos of my daily life which I analyze for hue, intensity, and amount. Depending on what kind of day I’ve had, I work to control my breathing to make the straightest lines and edges I can. I rely on the process of repetition to take me on a journey toward the resulting image which, in the end, is a result of hundreds of choices about color relationships. The more surprised I am at the end, the better.
Instagram: @rebecca_a_roberts
Personal website
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