I paint because it takes me out of my head and into my heart.

I am interested in the experience of life and the act of creating. My art is an acceptance and expression of human emotions and perception, manifesting in material form.

I work with what is present in the moment of creation in both the inner and outer world. I allow spontaneous, abstract response to colour, form and texture to appear on the canvas. The process leads the way and I freely allow the marks and brush strokes to manifest what they will of their own accord.

It is not my aim to construct any specific recognizable reference to the world.  Rather, I am interested in the human condition and the manifestation of experience as filtered through one’s inner realm and back out into the world. 
In some cases colour and form may suggest recognizable shapes and symbols but when this happens, it is by accident not design.
I see this as the spontaneous expression of the unconscious, or perhaps a perception of an experience conveyed through abstraction.

My current medium of choice is acrylic on canvas. This allows me to work impulsively and in many layers.  Drying time is short, which allows me the freedom to flow naturally with the process and not delay spontaneous expression.

The way I express is becoming freer and more unstructured and embodies a more gestural approach.
I am also exploring mixed media on paper and board as a way of expanding my artistic repertoire.

My aim is to indulge in the total freedom of expressing what is.

Gitte Backhausen 09/2008