Meredith Dytch

Meredith Dytch

Oil on Canvas

“For me, the creative process begins with a photograph. I often take many photos of places or people that strike my interest, then download them onto my computer for a closer look, sometimes zeroing in on a small area of a shot. I am strongly drawn to contrasts between light and shadow, and reflections in puddles and on wet pavement. The resulting painting may be quite different than the real-life scene, as I interpret what the photo shows me based on my own impressions and reactions.

”I am currently working on a series of Chicago cityscapes done in limited palettes, either burnt sienna and pthalo blue, or ultramarine blue, Venetian red and yellow ochre. I focus on aspects of the City that I believe usually go unnoticed – the back yards, alleys, and areas under El tracks that are so typical of Chicago neighborhoods, or rainy sidewalks and alleys in the Loop. These are all places where I can feel the distinctive energy of the urban environment. I believe that my limited palettes are perfect for capturing the moods and colors of the City.”