About
My name is Trisha Vergis
From the extraordinary vantage of her childhood easel in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Trisha Vergis decided early in life to dedicate herself to art creation. Post-college, she immersed herself among the finest artists and craftsmen in the New Hope River Valley, absorbing their expertise and refining her own skills.
For over four decades, Vergis has been a dedicated student, apprentice, experimenter, and teacher in the fine art realm. Her extensive experience and unwavering commitment have established her as a distinguished leader in the New Hope, Bucks County tradition of fine art.
Vergis identifies as a Direct painter, creating works directly from life and her imagination without the aid of photographs or digital tools. This approach demands agility and constant practice; she continuously hones her skills through sketching and color work to maintain the sharpness required for her art.
When asked why she eschews photographic references, she simply replies,
"I don't see anything to paint when I look at a photograph"
Trisha's paintings reflect the places and objects that populate her daily life, forming a cyclical pattern that mirrors the changing seasons. Her work often features floral motifs and landscapes, capturing the essence of each season. Personal elements also find their way into her art, such as her cats lounging in farmhouse windows or the simple charm of a few chairs. Everyday objects like jars of honey, stacks of books, billiard balls, fishing lures, chocolate-covered strawberries, and childhood tap shoes also inspire her.
"I paint them because I can't resist them," she explains.
Trisha Vergis's art is a testament to her passion for direct painting, her connection to her surroundings, and her ability to infuse ordinary subjects with extraordinary significance.
Q&A
Q: How long does it take to paint a painting?
A: That all depends. Each painting is different. Some paintings take many sketches, and painting attempts to create a quality piece. Other paintings fall off the bush at lightning speed.
Q: Do you have a favorite painting of yours that you wish you didn't sell?
A: Not yet.
Q: Where is your studio?
A: In my head, my heart, and my hands. I learned this many years ago, and it has suited me well.
Q: What other artists in history have influenced you the most?
A: Auguste Rodin for drawing and shape, Marc Rothko for color, and all the Impressionists, especially Fern Coopegde, for getting artists out of the studio and into the great outdoors.
Q: Do you always paint in oil paint, and if so, why?
A: Yes, I love the touch, the smell, the handling, and the visual quality of oil paint much more than the others I have tried. However, sometimes, my muse (i.e., watercolor, sculpture, woodcarving, origami, etc.) can bring me interim great creativity.
Q: What is your style?
A: Post-Impressionism. I paint directly from life, without the use of photographic or computer aids. Sometimes, I paint Fauvist (a painting with heightened color and exaggerated unrefined brushstrokes); other times, I paint Trompe-l'oeil (a painting so real that the viewer's eye is tricked into thinking it is real). Usually, I paint somewhere in between.
Q: Why don't you paint from photographs?
A: Because I don't see anything to paint when I look at a photograph.
Q: What do you paint?
A: I paint landscapes and architecture. I get a real kick out of the shapes of structures and their host stories. I also paint still lifes of all kinds of subjects. I spend a tremendous amount of time painting florals. Lastly, subjects such as cats, chairs, cows, windows, and people find their place on my easel. Sometimes, I paint from memory and imagination, relying heavily on my sketchbooks and color knowledge. Working this way seemingly leads to a more lyrical painting.