My work is driven by resonant color/shape impressions; I explore abstraction of places and experiences as colors and structures, and how memories can be suggested by form and pattern.
My colors are inspired by vintage materials, old crayons, textiles, toys. I used to paint more representationally, actual objects, signs, buildings. Over the past few years, I started abstracting those shapes and colors, and started to try to get at the idea of the memories that I actually had, being in a space like a roller rink or playroom; patterns on juice glasses, beach towels, board games.
I’d been stacking shapes in my art for some time before I made the connection to my longtime job as a firewood stacker. The way I fit the pieces together, balancing and supporting against each other, or about to fall, but never quite. And then the shapes became a way to explore color combinations.
I use acrylic paint, a lot of color mixing, layers, in person you might see the texture of the canvas or wood, shapes are smooth edged but a little messy. Vibrant and murky colors side by side.
I love trying to get the look of layers of old paint on the side of a building or a piece of furniture. Where you can read the surfaces. You can see ridges of paint strokes, or you see the grain beneath, so the paintings become tactile like the sculptures.
My most recent paintings represent an aspect of who I am and where I have been. Both a more optimistic side of myself, as well as the wistful side of me that longs for something I can’t describe.
When I painted vintage cars or phone booths, I was interested in the nostalgia one might feel for something they can’t quite remember themselves, but can appreciate the object (or image of it) that suggests a memory.
The process of painting deepened my experience of the subject, and sometimes brought me a story that a viewer would share. Moving to an abstract representation of these ideas was a natural progression in my work, which can be found in my shop's evolving inventory of paintings, prints, and foil collages on paper.
BIO:
Erica Hauser is an artist based in Newburgh whose work includes painting, collage and sculpture. She grew up in Brewster, NY, and has a BFA from School of Visual Arts in NYC.
In 2011 she received a NYFA grant, and has attended artist residencies in New Mexico, Vermont, and NY. She participated in The Other Art Fair editions in Brooklyn (US), Bristol (UK) and LA (virtually). In 2013 she co-founded Catalyst Gallery in Beacon, where, for seven years, she worked with artists to install exhibitions, host events and create community.
Her work has been featured on Saatchi Art, West Elm, and Chronogram. 2021 shows include the InView Project in Danbury, CT; Robin Rice Gallery in NYC’s West Village; Sometimes Gallery in Portland, OR, Terrain Biennial in Newburgh, and Cite NYC at 83 Wooster St (currently up through 3/12/22).
