Wendy Heldmann

(lives Los Angeles, CA)

Wendy Heldmann's paintings depict singular moments of a landscape, such as the way part of the tree looks against the sky at a certain time of day, and then lets the rest of the details of the landscape fall away. Her images are taken from mundane everyday places such a backyard or public park to where the details of the location become plural in the simplicity of the image. By creating absent or abstracted background planes she effectively expands the limits of the landscape. Heldmann also deals with contemporary societies relationship with nature where nature is still provoking and powerful but it no longer exists untouched by the influence of civilized existence. She says, "Nature's defined boundaries can no longer provide an authentic sublime experience. I paint nature knowing that it is not infinite, focusing on the essential elements of the landscape."

(Click images to enlarge)

Against the evening wall, 2006 Acrylic on canvas on panel 48 x 60 in.	You... flowing through selves towards you, 2005-06 Acrylic on canvas on panel 60 x 48 in.
Elysian Park 1, 2006 Acrylic on canvas on panel 18 x 16 in.	Elysian Park 2, 2006 Acrylic on canvas on panel 18 x 16 in.
Witnessing homespun unease 3, 2006 Acrylic on paper 40 x 26.25 in.	A light under the skin 3, 2006 Acrylic on paper 26 x 20 in.