Annick Richard-Keller’s journey in watercolor art began with an instinctive calling from her childhood. Art felt like a natural path, leading her to study formally before moving into experimental computer graphics at the prestigious Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris from 1979 to 1982. But the freedom she found in watercolor drew her away from technology. Her work today embodies an abstract, fluid approach to the medium, weaving spontaneity and imagination with deep personal exploration.
Richard-Keller describes watercolor as a medium without restriction. For her, it allows a freedom of expression that other forms haven’t matched. She approaches her work without a preconceived plan; each blank sheet is an open space where an unpredictable journey begins. She’s known for her belief that the first mark, the initial spot of color, initiates a kind of conversation between herself and the medium. This unplanned beginning leads to an unfolding process where shapes and colors interact with each other almost independently, without her imposing strict direction.
This approach of “free painting” is central to her style and vision. Her paintings are not premeditated—they emerge as if from the subconscious, taking shape through an evolving dynamic that defies structure. It’s a process she compares to a dance of sorts, where her brush, guided by instinct, lets shapes arise spontaneously, filling space with form and movement. She trusts the intuitive gestures and unconscious choices, letting them lead the way. For Richard-Keller, this is a deliberate rejection of constraints, a way to paint purely from the moment, capturing impressions as they come.
Her abstract watercolors invite viewers into this world of pure, unfettered imagination. She strives to reach a place where the work itself “interpellates,” or speaks to her—something she views as a signal that the piece is ready to meet the viewer. Only when a piece has stopped engaging her in its creation does she feel it is complete, ready for others to see. This openness is at the heart of her philosophy; she believes in leaving her work open to interpretation, encouraging viewers to find their meanings and emotions in her flowing compositions.
In addition to her painting, Richard-Keller has dedicated much of her life to teaching. She finds fulfillment in sharing watercolor techniques with others, guiding them to find their own voices in the medium. Her teaching style reflects her artistic philosophy, encouraging students to approach painting without strict guidelines, allowing space for personal expression. This method resonates in her two self-published books, Watercolor as a Mode of Expression (2019) and Abstraction (2022), where she captures her thoughts on technique and the philosophy behind her approach to watercolor.
Her series Inner Spiritual Landscape epitomizes her unique approach. Here, each painting starts with a bold, initial gesture—a single spot of color that sets everything in motion. From there, shapes emerge organically, filling the canvas in a flow that feels both spontaneous and intentional. This process of layering and combining shapes and colors, as Richard-Keller describes, creates a kind of confrontation on the canvas. It’s a back-and-forth between form and matter, where unconscious decisions guide her hand. The result is a visual landscape that reflects an inner journey, inviting viewers to explore the depths of their own interpretation.
For Richard-Keller, every painting is more than a visual exercise; it’s a discovery process, an exploration that reveals itself only in the act of painting. She talks about this relationship with her medium as if watercolor has a voice of its own, guiding her through each work. Her commitment to spontaneity in watercolor represents a lifelong pursuit of authenticity in art—an endeavor to let go of control and let the medium speak through her.
In Inner Spiritual Landscape, this approach manifests in forms and contrasting colors, where shapes seem to come alive, filling the space with their presence and energy. These compositions feel personal, yet distant enough to welcome individual interpretation. Each piece offers a glimpse into Richard-Keller’s process while inviting viewers to find their own inner landscapes within her abstract forms.
Annick Richard-Keller’s work in watercolor is, ultimately, about freedom—both her own and the viewer’s. Her paintings are about letting go, about allowing art to emerge without preconceived notions or plans. This openness to possibility, her trust in the medium, and her respect for the viewer’s imagination define her as an artist who sees abstraction not as chaos but as a structured freedom. Through her watercolor series and her teachings, she shares a world where each brushstroke is an invitation to step into the unknown, to embrace the unpredictable, and to find beauty in the abstract.
