About the Artist – Raette
Raette Meredith began studying art in 1992 while in college and began selling her work professionally in 2004. She has a Bachelor’s of Science, Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from MSU Billings. She uses this knowledge to operate her business of art. During the cold months of winter Raette teaches painting classes with the goal of inspiring others to develop their creativity. Raette spends her summers with hiking the countless trails of Glacier Park and surrounding areas in Northwest Montana and selling her oil paintings at art festivals. Below, is Raette’s artist statement.
Raette’s Artist Statement
“Nothing is permanent, perfectly static, or still. The same energy that creates the ocean waves is the energy that connects us to the universe. We may feel this energy’s whisper as a breeze on our face, hear it shake the leaves, or watch as it pushes the clouds into formation. Often burdened by demands of daily life, I escape into nature which reminds me that all circumstances are impermanent. Whether feeling burdened or free, the winds serve as a gentle reminder that even in the impermanence of our circumstances, the wind still blows, and new life still reaches for sunlight.
I first found satisfaction with creating art when I was a young child. I don’t remember any time in my life when I wasn’t drawing or building something. As an adult, I find that painting with oils and a palette knife is the most challenging, and has held my attention longer than any other medium. When I painting, time stops, I find I can focus only on the subject I am painting. This focus keeps me grounded. Painting is not an option for me, it is something that I simply must do.
I try to capture the impermanence in nature in my paintings. I do this by moving my knife across the canvas in the same manner the subject was formed. Colors vividly emerge as I continue to work on the painting. My eyes become more sensitive to the changes of color in light and shadow. Upon completion of a painting, I feel refreshed as if given a new day. It is my hope that the viewer also feels nature’s impermanence and refreshment when looking on these paintings.” – Raette