Hunter Valley Painting

Shinako was born in Tokyo, Japan where she studied art and design. She worked in the apparel and graphic industries while creating fine artworks. Currently living in Sydney, Australia, she creates mainly semi-abstract with mixed media, but works from abstract using spontaneous forms to all subjects such as figurative, landscape and still life using various mediums. Statement My works often result from a combination of an abstract base and personal experiences. Being inspired by the effects of marks, colours and textures from spontaneous forms, I connect them with my memory which can be my childhood, places I visited, films, stories, poems or feelings I experienced. I also work with objects by sketching them (life drawings, still life, plain air etc.). This is an essential time for me to focus on and connect with models or objects, feel the surrounding air and infuse my love of them into my work. It allows me to have a change from my usual abstract works and is a tranquil, meditative outlet to me. Before painting objects on canvas, I normally apply various vibrant colours and textures as a foundation. I started this out of a desire to express the intricate perplexities of human nature through first portraying these emotions onto the canvas in an abstract form, before adding layers that make the overall painting more distinct. This emotive, first layer that is hidden beneath the final piece also gives the painting a deep mood and colour, which slightly changes depending on the light due to the time of day and the seasons. In my paintings, I strive to convey the ‘air’ of the moment - the temperature, humidity, smell, sound and breeze, and I hope that viewers can also feel transported to this atmosphere. I have lived in Tokyo, London, Singapore and am currently living in Sydney. My art career was interrupted by moving across numerous countries with young children, but there I kept painting, took art courses and workshops when I had opportunities. I believe my experiences are a positive impact on my works and am grateful to presently be able to focus on my art.