Teresa Dirk’s artistic voice is profoundly influenced by her upbringing in the rustic American south. Seamstresses, quilters, gardeners, and farmers, served as creative role models throughout her childhood that cultivated her love of nature, growth, and creativity. She works in mixed media to create abstracts that channel the energy of her past. Her paintings are deeply personal and carry precise meanings and particular stories to them. The whimsical lines and playful color choices lend themselves to a childlike quality that charms with nostalgia. Though each of her paintings reflect her personal surroundings and history, she delves into complex conceptual topics, such as urban decay and nature’s fundamental connections. She has a passion for the process, and views it as propagating the brilliant and expressive energy she has witnessed throughout her life.