Haidee DeRouen

For Haidee, figurative painting comes from a love for human form, particularly in classic ballet and dancers. Her study of figures, expressionism, impressionism, and abstract figures yield diverse, colorful pieces that bring motion and emotion to the canvas.

The landscapes of south Louisiana ignited a passion for Haidee to paint the world around her, while encompassing culture and colors that are found in this region.

From sugarcane and rice fields to Cajun prairies and crawfish ponds, these landscapes and its inhabitants reflect her sense of home and love for life in Louisiana.

The form, sounds, and graceful movements of wildlife have captivated Haidee since she was a child. Her favorite are the birds wading in the marsh and rice fields, such as spoonbills, ibis, snow egrets, and other native Louisiana birds.

Cajun Mardi Gras has been a part of Haidee’s life since she was born. This folkloric ritual is deeply engrained in her culture and led to a love for painting the whimsical, theatrical experience.

“The colors and movement of Mardi Gras were made to be impressionistic artwork, so it comes easy for me to create.”

This form of painting does not come natural for Haidee and required a lot of schooling and studying - gaining inspiration and a deep respect for Franz Kline and Joan Mitchell.

“It is more of a challenge for me. You’re manipulating shapes and colors without a subject. So it is often difficult to provide meaning to these pieces. It requires me to think abstractly and has made me a better painter.”

Though Haidee does not consider herself to be a photographer, her artistic eye has allowed many interesting shots over the years. Most of her subjects come organically in daily life.

Snapping a photo typically comes with a vision for painting an object, though often times she finds they should just be left alone.