R.D. Alspach, Artist

Artist’s Statement

It is my belief that art in all its forms is essential to our humanity, as is the air we breathe, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the dwellings we inhabit! Our time and place is here and now, yet we have some knowledge of the past, along with our cautious hopes for the future. We each have much to learn from the past, but I believe it is the calling of all artists to present their visions for each of us to see and ponder their relevance.

These visions, be they images, dances, plays or poetry, stories or the sounds of distant drums and voices, carry within them the essence of our reason for living, and have always done so. It is the job of viewers to be open to the messages, however subtle or strong, and to consider their importance in their lives.

My visual images are an effort to call upon my unique memories, skills and experiences, the worlds of man-made and natural phenomena and to formulate compositions that speak to the viewers inner longing for understanding of our place and time here on earth.

I prefer to with with mixed media and acrylics on panels, paper or canvas, often involving photo or digital imagery, fabrics, papers and words. My love for maps, old and new, are also a way to provide something of time and place so bits and pieces are somewhat evident. I also have a great love for the calligraphic brush stroke, as well as expressive drawn line, providing energy and life to my work. Abstraction and design elements are where I find the greatest satisfaction, especially when I am able to unite the “essence” of the work with its imagery. Mostly, I quietly delight in the process.

About R.D. Alspach

I was born in 1941 in Saskatchewan, Canada and raised in Regina. My education was with the public system there and attended the University of Saskatchewan (Regina Campus) receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art and my Bachelor of Education teaching qualifications in 1970.

Teachers and instructors included people like Mac Hone, Helmut Becker at Central Collegiate. Then at U of S included Jeff Pocklen, Beth Hone, Marilyn Levine, Rick Gomez, Allan Wienstien, Jack Sures, Ronald Bloore, Theodore Heinrich and my mentor Ted Godwin who rounded out my being influenced by the Regina Five by being in close proximity throughout those years.

I was invited to attend the 1965 Emma Lake Workshop with guests Lawrence Alloway, a New York art critic and John Cage a renowned American music composer.

Teaching took me and my family to Red Deer, Alberta where I taught for thirty years in both junior and senior high schools with the public school system. I retired full time in 2000 but continued with teaching seasonal courses with the city Culture Services Community Programs for a number of years.

In 2009 I was the chair of the Red Deer & District Allied Arts Council and its representative to form the new Red Deer Arts Council. I continue to volunteer with the operations of the Kiwanis Gallery operated by the Council.

I am now able to devote more time to my studio art and activities within the arts community.