Before The Valley

’Everything we see hides another thing; we always want to see what is hidden by what we see.’ Rene Magritte

This quote interests me and I relate it to my art practice and interpret it as follows: 

Those influences are not always apparent to the viewer and may trigger a need to know. A painting offers a glimpse of what is held within me and my life experience. As an Artist I can share further explanation, but this may or may not be the whole story. Life is full of expectation and intrigue, but human nature often leads us down a road of needing to know, this uncertainty can be uncomfortable, however if we can sit with the unknown, embrace curiosity we may develop our own individual Insights. 

When I am painting and sketching, I am responding to the immediate influences in my day-to-day life and work, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Being in the landscape, whether on sight or painting from memory, serves as a place to escape providing a sense of Solace. When I paint or sketch, my internal landscape and the external world merge. 

During development of this series of paintings, I had a 'lightbulb moment' linking my experience and memories of living in Ireland as a child and a young adult. I gained clarity on how this connects to my art practice in the here and now. These paintings link my life in the Southwest and memories of my life in Ireland.

Oil

63x93cm

Framed in an open frame