Forest Symphony

In an explosion of colors, the painter takes us to discover the unsounded parts of the forests, those too often forgotten in an ever more urban society. It reveals the vibrations of a universe that still conceals many mysteries in her eyes, a world above all synonymous with harmony and powerful vitality. This American artist living in the Grand Duchy draws part of her inspiration from the woods she walks in Luxembourg. Ready for a forest bath?

INTERVIEW 

Sustainability MAG: Your works immerse us in the mysterious universe of forests, what drives you to transcribe this environment?

Anita Dore: Initially, I was drawn to the colors and textures, the light, and the compositions of space. Then as I read more about forests, I became fascinated by their complexity, and for me, this helped explain my emotional connection to them. I am truly fascinated by what is going on in the forests. They are such an incredibly complex and vibrant collection of relationships, systems, and processes that are not easily seen by the usual encounter. Even with all of this intense activity, everything works together in harmony. I seek this same kind of balance in my paintings: I want them to be interesting and thought-provoking but also balanced and simply beautiful to experience.

Is it a quest for well-being?

When I'm in the forest, I feel enchanted and energised but also calm. My opinion is that it’s in our DNA to need to be in wild spaces at least some of the time, in order to connect to our essence and feel balanced. I will admit that I have hugged a few trees, and often I feel like I'm receiving some positive energy in return. I don't really know for certain what causes that feeling but I believe that there is more to trees and forests than is readily apparent. However, I think we can sense it intuitively if we allow ourselves to. Maybe that is why forest bathing is becoming popular.

Which forests have inspired you the most?

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park in California. I have been there several times, and each time it feels like a spiritual experience. In Luxembourg too, I visit the forests that are a short drive from where I live. I try to go there at least twice a week.

You show us the forests in their full-frame. Are they too much neglected in the attention of our society for you? Is it an invitation to re-connect with trees and nature?

It wasn’t a conscious decision to paint this way. I think it's coming from my feeling of intimacy with the forests and how I like to get up close to better observe all the details. I'm also a surface designer, so initially, my close study of trees and plants came from seeking inspiring shapes to create pattern designs. Unfortunately, I don’t think society values forests nearly enough. And I fear that most people don’t know how complex and they are – I’m still learning about this myself. 

A forest is like a community that has grown and evolved over many, many years, and it can’t be replaced quickly, if at all. I would love for people to see forests differently, to be curious about them, see how there is mysterious magic there, and to feel connected to them. Trees are quite similar to us,  especially those that are living in a wild forest. They communicate with each other, protect each other. They even have a sense of taste and smell. Some scientists believe that they are intelligent and can learn. We just can't see or hear this with our naked senses. Essentially, I paint forests because I want people to love them, and hopefully protect them.

Bright colors, large paint strokes, there is an invisible part that you seek to express with vigor. How would you define your artistic style?

My paintings have spontaneous brush strokes but also careful, deliberate ones. I also iterate quite a bit - most of my paintings have several layers of paintings built upon each other. Unintentionally, or maybe subconsciously, I’m reflecting the multiple layers of the forest.

I find a lot of inspiration from Henri Matisse, Ferdinand Hodler, Hilma af Klint, David Hockney, Milton Avery, Irmgard Weber, and Per Kirkaby. I use bolder colors, looser brushstrokes and abstracted shapes in order to convey emotion and energy, but it’s also important for me to convey a sense of place. And even though the paintings might not look realistic, they are capturing a different reality – the complexity of the forest ecosystem – one that can’t be perceived by our naked senses.

ANITA DORE

Anita Dore was born and raised in the countryside of Upstate New York and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Design. She paints to express herself creatively and to communicate the issue that is most important to her: protecting the natural environment. Her work is in private collections in the US and Europe. Currently, Anita lives in Luxembourg City.