Catherine Van Giap - fish panel
Catherine Van Giap
Jill Crowther
Jill Crowther
Harbour by Lorenzo Gavarini
Lorenzo Gavarini
William Smith
William Smith
Shelly Perkins
Shelly Perkins

Alison Simons

On this page

Artwork for Alison Simons

Happy Days at Kynance

Whispers of Flight

Turquoise Rhapsody

Bespoke paint skin jewellery

BeSpoke paint skin jewellery

Bespoke paint skin jewellery

Details

Telephone: 
07717848362
How would you describe the work you do and why?: 

I use fluid acrylic paints mixed with a variety of ingredients, for example, paint conditioner, varnish, isopropyl alcohol, water, and silicone oil, and pour them onto my substrate including canvases, wooden panels and shapes, and ceramic tiles. The way I pour and layer the paints give a different outcome. The different ingredients interact with the paint creating various, unique effects. The consistency of the paint and ratios of ingredients must be exactly right for each technique.

Once the paint is on the substrate, I use different methods of manipulating it, including air, gravity, dragging, pressing and swiping. I use unconventional tools, such as a hairdryer, string, chain, cling film, kitchen roll, bottle bottoms, skewers, and acetate sheet.

Once the initial paint pour has dried, I often embellish the paintings using traditional brushwork. I love combining the freedom and expression of the paint pouring with the precision and meticulous details of the brushwork, where abstract meets realism. Sometimes I will use mixed media to embellish my work.

My work is inspired by my love of fantasy and nature, both of which offer a source of escapism for me, reflecting my childhood, which was spent either in the great outdoors, or buried in a good book. This escapism is something I aim to provide the viewer through my paintings. My work features the likes of dragons, the phoenix, fairies, otherworldly landscapes, ocean scenes, flora and fauna.

For you what does being an artist mean?: 

I have always needed an outlet for my creativity. Over the years, that has been manifested in many ways, including musical endeavours and art, and I have tried my hand at many different crafts, lingering on some longer than others. When I found this painting style it felt like coming home. I often paint intuitively, letting the painting evolve as it will, becoming and expression of my imagination or an appreciation of the world around me.

I developed a love of fantasy at a young age, and it still inspires me today. I love the freedom of expression, imagination and escapism that fantasy offers. Nature is also a source of solace for me, so it is only natural to manifest my place of peace onto canvas. I believe it is important to allow time to escape the hustle and bustle, routines and worries of modern life. Art can be a powerful tool for mindfulness and mental wellbeing, not only in the painting of art, but also in the viewing of it. My goal is to share some of the escapism my art offers, to stimulate imagination and stir emotion in others and to draw my audience into a world of colour and vibrancy.

Describe what you call yourself/your practice?: 

I am an artist specialising in fluid acrylic paintings, embellishing my work with detailed brushwork and mixed media.

Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching: 

I exhibit in many craft fairs and festivals across the West Midlands and often work on a commissions basis. I am a member of the Herefordshire Guild of Craftsmen and exhibit with them a few times per year, in particular at the Three Counties Showground for the RHS Spring and Autumn garden festivals, and the Three Choirs Festival, to be held at Worcester Cathedral this year . I have recently moved into a new studio in the heart of Great Malvern from which I run one-to-one and small group workshops.

CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice: 

I am a self-taught artist, learning my practice through online tutorials and self-experimentation and learning. My scientific background supports my knowledge and understanding of the science behind fluid acrylics. I have been accepted as a full member of the Herefordshire Guild of Craftsmen this year, having been an Associate member for 12 months.

Exhibitions in the last 3 years: 

Gallery Exhibitions
'Green' Exhibition at The Secret Gallery in Newent 29/7/22 - 27/8/22

Craft fairs/festivals
Victorian Fair Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall 9-10/12/23
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall 25-26/11/23
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall 4-511/23
Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall 21-22/10/23
Wallheath Community Club Demonstration and Exhibition 5/10/23
Malvern Autumn Show 22/9/23-24/9/23
H-Art Brockhampton Church 2/9/23-10/9/23
Worcester Show 13/8/23
Three Choirs Festival 22/7/23-29/7/23
Upton Blues Festival 21/7/23-23/7/23
3 Pears Artisan and Farmers Market 2/7/23
Willenhall Carnival 10/6/23
Tewkesbury Town Hall 27/5/23
RHS Malvern Spring Show 12/5/23-14/5/23
Border Counties Steam and Vintage Show 29-30/4/23
3 Pears Artisan and Farmers Market 2/4/23
Marston's Green Village Hall Sunflower Events 1/4/23
3 Pears Artisan and Farmers Market 5/3/23
Marston's Green Village Hall Sunflower Events 4/3/23
Tewkesbury Town Hall 17/12/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 14/12/22
The Guildhall, Worcester 11/12/22
Victorian Fair, Worcester 4/12/22
Upton Christmas Fair 3/12/22
Victorian Fair, Worcester 1-2/12/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 30/11/22
The Guildhall, Worcester 26-27/11/22
Worcester Pride Festival 1/10/22
Autumn Equinox Fae Fayre, Powick 17/9/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 27/8/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 20/8/22
Navigation Inn, Stoke Prior 30/7/22
Upton Blues Festival 15-17/7/22
The Guildhall Worcester 9/7/22
Marston's Green Village Hall Spiritual Event 23/6/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 22/6/22
Stourport Manor Hotel 5/6/22
Tewkesbury Town Hall 28/5/22
The Best of Bristol 24/4/22
Himley Hall 10/4/22
Jelleyman's Mill Spring Fair, Kidderminster 2/4/22
Weatherspoons Malvern 26/2/22
Evesham Town Hall 12/2/22
The Guildhall Worcester December 2021

Your gallery outlets/stockists: 

Private Sales only at present.

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