As all my friends said I should have a picture of myself I tried to take a good one, but as trying to smile at myself whilst taking a photo wasn’t easy none were successful, so you get a selection which is more expressive anyway.
A Short History if you are interested
I was born in Coventry, UK. I gained a fine art degree from Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979, at a time when the emphasis was on abstract painting and colour theory. My work at that stage, although still based on the figure and movement, was mainly abstract in style. In 1985 I studied textiles and embroidery and produced a number of fine art pieces, but painting was still in my blood and I was soon to return to it. I now paint and work on the computer, and share my skills by teaching life drawing and general art.
Baroque Influences
Following many trips to Italy, and Rome in particular, I soon became interested in the Baroque. You would think that this was a world away from abstract art, which in one sense it is, but in fact there are some real similarities, and areas where abstract training can be helpful.
Baroque painting is often telling a story and to do this effectively it uses complicated composition and dramatic lighting effects. The figures in the paintings are often out of history, religion or mythology: they do not always occupy real space and this is where it gets closer to abstraction.
Abstract painting is sometimes abstracting something to its limit until there is nothing recognisable or representational. Abstract painting is the paint, colour, shape, texture, etc.
Composition
To create any painting a composition has to be considered, and decisions made in order to make it aesthetically pleasing. In Renaissance art, and many styles since, the composition uses geometric shapes pleasing to the eye and usually very grounded. In the Baroque the figures are often flying, falling or expressing something melodramatic, and to create this effect a much more disturbing compositional approach may be required. If you imagine the triangle with the widest side firmly grounded: this was used by many painters, particularly in the Renaissance. Baroque art, in contrast, may use the triangle on its point, thus giving a disturbing and very dramatic effect. As the space is often the sky, clouds, heaven etc. there is a void around the figures, which is often filled by painterly techniques, areas of colour and light to guide the eye to the chosen subject. O.K. this may not seem very similar to an abstract work, but if you sit in front of a large painting by, say, Rubens or Piazzetta and for that moment see the figures as purely shapes and colour, you will, I hope, get some idea where I am coming from.
I am not trying to emulate the 17th century artists I purely admire them and use their work as an inspiration for my own. I use similar painting techniques using under-painting then glazing and scumbling. If I needed a challenge this sure is one! This style of work isn't popular at the moment, and although you may not warm to the images, I have achieved my goal if they arouse in you something thought provoking or challenging. I hope you find the work interesting and enjoy your exploration of my work. Don't take it too seriously as it isn't always so: there are some areas you may smile at which is great.
Digital Images
Although the majority of my work is painting I have also used the computer to design images and work out ideas. Now I am using the computer images as an end in themselves. The series on Global Warming is done entirely on the computer, with no input, just drawing on the computer.
I am interested in the idea, the method of producing it depends on the subject, sometimes it can lead to a painting, sometimes a computer image, or video, or a three-dimensional object.
I am a member of the Art group Artspace based in the borough of Charnwood, Leicestershire.
www.helenward.com
