Kay Ritter

My paintings have evolved over the last twenty years from relatively traditional, carefully observed still life to include pieces that are more narrative in nature. During the first two decades of my career I created three-dimensional characters with a humorous aspect. Although I am no longer involved in that work, the playful quality has reemerged in my paintings and for me completes a circle.

As a painter, I feel most engaged when combining precisely rendered arrangements with invented additions, often birds, animals or people. Although I like to begin a story, it's important to leave some ambiguity so as to encourage the viewer to imagine where it might lead. Nothing pleases me more than watching this happen. It feels like a conversation in another language which in the end is what art is all about.