In a July, 2008, Cape Cod Life article, “Kaleidoscopic Talent”, Dorothy Strauss is described by Arts Editor, Susan Dewey as “An artistic spirit without boundaries”. Her art is described as “Bold abstracts with de Kooning-like confidence”…, “Brave virtuoso of color and form”…, “Matisse-like interiors intricately rendered” …
Strauss is a native New Yorker who has studied at New York University, Pratt Institute and Montclair State University. Before retiring and moving to what has always been her spiritual home, Wellfleet, Cape Cod, she taught English for thirty (30) years in New York City .
A lifelong painter, Strauss has touched upon many styles in her work – expressionism and abstract expressionism being the dominant forces. Straus is an artistic spirit without boundaries. She paints landscapes, seascapes, interiors, musicians, dancers, horses and pure abstractions and the one thing they all have in common is a “depth, vibrancy, intensity and juxtaposition of color so that there is always a brilliancy even in the darkness.” Through her expressionist style, Straus reaches the viewer on an emotional rather than an intellectual level. Strauss states “I am not so much interested in replicating the world for the viewer as I am in articulating a more personal experience of my vision of the world. It is this vision which I want to share with the viewer that inspires me to paint.”
Locally, Dorothy’s work is currently being shown at Roots for the Home and Garden in P’Town, at the Craft Gallery in Wellfleet and at Rowley Gallery in Orleans.
Browse the Cape Art Tile products featuring Barbara’s work here.