About Alex duMauriée

As far back as I can remember I have been doodling, drawing and creating with many mediums.

The alchemic process of creating has been a dominant part of my life experience since I was a child and has always demanded to be nurtured in one form or another. From lecturing on Creativity and Innovation, Intuitive Intelligence as well as The Assassination of Creativity, to designing high fashion accessories in New York City, copy writing, sculpting and painting, I have moved through many expressions of this creative life force that I know to be an integral part of being human.

My father was a pen and ink and charcoal artist as well as a cartoonist. He taught me early on how to properly hold a pen and pencil, use a pastel, and to create characters of my own imagination. I still use his brushes.

At the university I studied commercial art and design but discerned that it was too confining and restrictive a discipline for my character.

Years went by before I could devote time to my art in a meaningful way. Once made, the commitment sparked a fury of activity in my new studio.

For all the years of sporadic art classes I am basically a self-taught artist. I remain fascinated by the "accidents" that morph an idea into something altogether "other" than my intentions or expectations to create a surprise even to me.

After trying watercolor, acrylic, collage and a combination of all the above, I finally discovered that oils gave me the most freedom of expression and movement. I love that I can turn up the music, grab a big brush and move paint around unrestricted by time or the confinement of materials.

Painting teaches me something every day; sometimes its about painting and often its about me (impatience, commitment, self-doubt, surrendering to the process and so on. I have yet to master the Zen of cleaning brushes.)

As a self-admitted insatiable, curious and restless spirit, my work reflects my need to experiment with style, palette and subject matter, always chasing the "it" factor.

I'm intrigued by the act of intention turned sideways by the creative process, which in the end produces its own result. I claim no underlying philosophy for my work beyond sheer enjoyment of the process. The poet in me is wont to align each piece with a profound thought or motivation. But, I believe you should make up your own story.

I am grateful to be passionate about a lifelong process of learning. THIS will keep me growing for the rest of my life. Yippee! What a gift.