Del-Bourree Bach

Although I call myself a “contemporary realist”, I do not follow any particular school or individual style of painting. My style and technique has developed over time through observation, study, and hard work. I enjoy paintings many subjects. What I decide to paint next depends on my mood on a given day. Many, but not all, of my paintings deal with the sea and the life around it because I have always been drawn to its magic.

Coming from an illustration background, I am always concerned with composition, good draughtsmanship and design. I work from sketches and my own reference photos, mostly in the studio, but occasionally I enjoy plein air painting. I do not draw on the surface, but work directly with the brush. I use no projections or mechanical devices, not even a straight edge for horizon lines or rigging. I will depend on simple eye/hand coordination as long as I am capable of doing so.

Most of my paintings are acrylic on panel. I work in many layers, beginning with thick opaque under painting and eventually ending up with layers of almost transparent washes to add a luminous glow to the finished piece. I work with as big a brush as possible for as long as possible, moving on to smaller ones only for detail work. I love keeping old brushes around to use for various textures. I hope I have learned when a painting is finished, when one more brushstroke will be one too many.

One of my most important experiences as an artist was the time I spent selling my work in the streets of Manhattan. Doing this on a daily basis taught me many things about myself and how people view me and my work. Although this time for me has long passed, I will always value the opportunities and lessons learned there. I feel most proud to have been able to help spearhead a class action lawsuit in New York City which protects the First Amendment rights of all artists to display and sell their works in public spaces. Now when I walk along Fifth Avenue and see artists out there, I feel that my fellow plaintiffs and I made a difference for future generations of artists.

As for my “artistic goals”, I hope I will never stop growing and evolving as a painter, always have the respect of my peers, and continue to make a comfortable living doing what I love. No one can ask for more than that. I paint because I have to and I continue to hope that my next painting will be my best painting.

Signature Member status:

*American Society of Marine Artists
*Society of Animal Artists
*National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
*National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic
*Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Louisiana, and North East

Watercolor Societies:

*American Artist Professional League

Elected Member status:

*Audubon Artists, American Artists Professional League
*Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts
*Salmagundi Club
*Providence Art Club

Feature articles have been written about Del in these publications:

Boat US
American Artist
International Artist
Watercolor Magic
American Art Collector