"Her Rusty Underbelly" Painting

I am a professional artist based in the Southwest of the UK. My work is often an expression of my emotional response to that which is of interest. My most recent series of work explores our relationship with water. A lot of research goes in to my paintings. I visit museums, other galleries, historians, philosophise, listen to podcasts, read interviews; all of which informs my practice. For my recent series I have taken a tour into the tunnels under my town and learn about the web of springs and wells that run underneath our feet. I have made visits to the riverside, and followed its path, collecting photos, stories, sketches along the way. This is all then taken back to my studio where it greatly informs my mark-making. I work within the abstract realm as I intend to encourage the viewer to connect with what is in front of them without falling in to labels or seemingly appropriate terminology. By abstracting the image, and sharing my expressions in this way, I believe it breaks down barriers and prevents miscommunication. It leaves the viewer with a liberating opportunity to see what actually lays in front of them, and in turn provides an individual and authentic interpretation.