In order not to gorge on visual inspiration without digesting it, I have recently begun a new practice. I look at the photos I’ve taken and ask myself why? Why did this make an impact? What impact? And then either jot it in a sketchbook or print & pin it to the studio wall.
So here are the 8 artists who impacted me from the recent RA Summer Show 2023 and why:
No 757
The colours spoke to me! I am really enjoying using neon and fluro colours at the moment myself so Philip Suttons work caught my eye instantly. I also love how pattern orientated his approach is. And also that halo of blue around the flowers where he’s painted up to it afterwards – it kind of glows.
Adrian Davies
Adrian Davies Between the Cracks
Can’t find a single thing out about this guy. So its just one piece of work to study for now but what a piece. Unfortunately my photo of the whole picture is blurred but you can see the level of detail from these 2 close-ups. What fantastic use of tone, a solid black background, gouache paint (my fave) and layering.
Caroline used to be a pattern designer which explains her eye for & gorgeous use of colour. These pieces really evoke mood and emotion which really connected with me. I am also interested in the way she mixes media and translucency.
This delicious still life drew me across the room – that yellow scalloped shape, the aqua green next to that red stripe and the use of patterned paper collage paper. Some pieces of art make me just want to join in to and this was one. It conveys joy, play at work and inspired me to mix things up a bit by looking for simple shapes and complimentary colour pops.
Alexandra Blum Myddleton Square
Wow, just wow! What drawing capability. What a lovely soft graphite line. I love where its got rubbed and looks hazy and smokey. I love her use of erasing or keeping under layers of drawing light and indistinct. Her entire portfolio is jaw-dropping – check the link above.
David Brayne In Pursuit of Spring
Another piece from the show that had quiet presence. Featured on a wall grouped with other complimentary (and interesting paintings) the mood of it pulled me in; the figure looking out to me (sad, happy, ok?) and the composition of horizontal background stripes and circular yellow wheels catch the eye after the mood has caught the heart.
David Brayne – from his website
I read that he applies paint made from his own mixing of pigments, in lots of layers of textures and glazes, building up the surface – his process is considered and the art itself backs that up – there something deep going on in the narrative of them all. I’d v. much recommend a look through his website.
David Dawson A Wheel of Cloud
This guy has painted the Queen and worked for Lucien Freud. I was just inspired by the way he applies paint loosely, freely with lots of dark underpainting. It made me want to paint a landscape.
Indoor Cosmology David Remfry
I got lots from this – I like the format and composition of 16 studies of the same thing in slightly different ways in terms of viewpoint and from a limited and associated colour palette. I liked how the whole piece speaks of a scene while individual pieces are in vary states of abstraction.It reminded me of what can be achieved when you’re brave enough to cut up and re-order artwork.
