Still Life
The quiet poetry of still life is enchanting - the way everyday objects can hold stories, mood and beauty - it captivates me.
I enjoy arranging a still life setup that feels balanced but not too perfect, using colour to create a certain energy or calm, and watching how the light transforms everything it touches, whether its a glow on a piece of fruit (most likely a pear… I like painting pears!), the glint of old glass, or the shadows cast by folded linen, I find endless inspiration in observing and capturing these fleeting luminous moments.
Landscapes
Landscapes have always intrigued me - not least because I find them so tricky to paint! Anyone who knows me through painting will be nodding at this point, knowing my fear of ‘all the green’! I do admire those ‘plein air’ artists who can confidently chase shifting light and ever changing shadows across hills, fields and skies.
For me, the fleeting nature of the beautiful outdoors can feel daunting. Which is ludicrous as we live in such a beautiful area of the Quantocks Hills, you’d think I would be out there with my easel at the drop of a hat!
However… I have tackled a few - usually when something about the atmosphere, mood or drama of the scene insists on being painted.
While this not my usual comfort zone, I have a quiet respect (and a touch of envy) for those who make it look so effortless.