DARRELL UNDERSCHULTZ, "Arcadia Revisited," April 4 – 25, 2009, Petley Jones Gallery, Vancouver

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"Autumn Glow"

Darrell Underschultz, "Autumn Glow," acrylic on canvas, 36" x 30".

DARRELL UNDERSCHULTZ, Arcadia Revisited

Petley Jones Gallery, Vancouver

April 4 – 25, 2009

By Beverly Cramp

Painter Darrell Underschultz uses his passion for 18th- and 19th-century landscapes in his contemporary art practice. His new works, at a dual exhibition with Lynda Kirby in April, will continue the theme. But classic landscapes are just the starting point for Underschultz. “My work is a modern take on 18th- and 19th-century landscapes,” he says. “I’m told that my work is more unusual in that I like to experiment with color combinations.” Though he has lived in Vancouver since 1989, Underschultz’s new works move past what he calls “the muted colour palette” of the city. For example, his acrylic work titled Autumn Glow has the ash-blue sky of a typical Vancouver autumn/winter day at the top of the painting, but it moves into a burst of orange and yellow near the bottom half. In another work, Limelight, the sky is entirely lit with pinks and yellows. Underschultz builds his paintings with complex washes of color that add depth. “Initially the color is opaque, and then becomes transparent near the end.” Most of his paintings have more than 50 layers. Talking about his work is difficult for the artist. He doesn’t like using the medium of words to delineate his paintings. “When I’m working, it’s like a second nature kicks in. It’s a very intuitive process for me.”

Darrell Underschultz is represented by: Petley Jones Gallery, Vancouver and Masters Gallery, Calgary