Theresa DeSalvio

These paintings represent a transitional time. They encompass many feelings including sadness, anguish, discovery and hope that are all part of the healing process. The surfaces of the paintings are prepared by applying a thick random surface of acrylic medium. I then draw with willow stick before beginning to paint. I allow the charcoal and oil paint to mix in the process of painting giving more depth and character to the paint. The random texture of the acrylic underpainting contributes to the overall rawness of the subject giving it a scarred surface as if painted on an ancient wall.

These portraits are startling in their simple expression of intimacy. Stripped bare of everything extraneous, they express sorrow, alienation, regret, comfort, shared private moments and joy. The figures look into space in despair, hope and wonder. The portraits are painted in an expressionist style where form gives way to expression.

Black & White oil paintings on paper and sumi ink & graphite work provides an interesting counterpoint to the Expressionist Portraits.

In "Vignettes" I painted on a non-absorbent surface of synthetic paper to create brief, evocative episodes. The paintings are fluid expressionist commentaries on loneliness and the complexity of human relationships.

Chinese Zodiac represent the twelve animals of the zodiac cycle. In the spirit of traditional Chinese art which often incorporates calligraphy with visual art, I have incorporated a written personality trait as well as the numeric place in the zodiac cycle.

I began these large scale oil paintings following a trip to Beijing in November 2009. This crowded, vibrant city, steeped in tradition is rapidly changing into a modern society. The work attempts to capture the spirit of the people as China transforms.

These large oil paint on paper portraits explore intimacy and the relationships of its subjects.

Portraits of family & friends that take many liberties with appearances yet capture the spirit of its subjects. These paintings were exhibited at The Living Room in Verona, NJ, 2009.

Figures floating in water or space. "Zero Gravity" expresses ideas about the power of the human form, physicality and spirituality, movement in space, weightlessness and gravity and the figure merging with its environment.

These oil on paper figures show their vigor, courage and aggressiveness.

The Swimmers were completed following a long swim in a pristine mountain lake. They are about how the body moves and feels while in water. This series of 22 oil stick on paper paintings were exhibited at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Summer 2007.

Musical instruments and themes are used to create rhythm, repetition and tone in these paintings.

The paintings in this gallery span twenty-five years. While they are linked together by their animal themes, they are painted in many different styles.