Abstract Art Inspired by Nature
‘Drawing the landscape is exhilarating. It brings you into the present moment like nothing else’
Observational drawing is at the heart of my creative practice. With a BA and MA in Illustration I have kept sketchbooks all my life. Finding a solitary drawing spot at the edge of a quiet field fills me with anticipation and excitement. It’s a deeply personal experience.
To sit and witness clouds racing across the sky, birds circling above and trees rustling, you feel an intense sense of being alive. It’s this raw, natural energy that inspires my work. To distil this ‘sense of place’ into a language of marks and colour is a never ending journey.
Process
As a plein air painter my process always begins outdoors. I initially work in sketchbooks, repeatedly visiting a location until I become familiar with that unique area. Once I have enough information I return with large scale paper and work spontaneously in inks and pastel to capture the movement and energy of that day. My marks are inspired by wind, shapes of flora and fauna and the general geographic layout of the landscape.
Back in the studio I will continue to work on these paintings adding finer details in pastel which add contrast and depth to the final piece.
Pour, Drip and Splash
There is a physicality to my work, as each mark I create aims to express my response to the energy of a particular place. I pour, drip and splash the ink across the paper whilst controlling the flow by gently manoeuvring the large sheets.
Creating a painting is a constant balance between colour and marks, space and form. Accidental marks are always embraced as these reflect the irregularity and vibrancy found in nature. Each painting is a result of my experience of a particular location and aims to evoke in the viewer a deep sense of place.
