Sometimes it’s funny when you think you’ve stumbled across a great idea, only to realize later looking back that it’s been there all along.
The body of work in my upcoming exhibition has developed from a decade of painting portraits in oil. I love using oils because of the jewel-like colours and the transparency of layers, and I have always been drawn to portraiture, from a very young age (age 3 to be exact!). It has been interesting to watch how my work has grown and developed over the years, and all the influences that have crept into my paintings.
I will be updating my website with my new paintings once this exhibition opens in November, but in the meantime, I thought it would be interesting to show some paintings from over the years that have led up to where I am in my practice today.
***
I’ve always really loved floral patterns, whether it was on stationery, pillows, or my clothes. When I paint self-portraits, the busiest floral patterns always seem to make their way into the painting. I’ve even on occasion bought clothes that had a pattern I liked just because I wanted to have it in a portrait! My latest self-portrait is definitely one of those occasions. I wandered into a charity shop that I had never been to before and found this dress. I hesitated because it was quite a loud pattern but I was also instantly drawn to the detail and colours. It was a handmade vintage silk dress with a vivid graphic chrysanthemum pattern. And it has found its way into my painting.
Here are the next two sneak peeks:
