I have entered four paintings into the “A Space to Grow” Exhibition which takes place between the 28th March and 27th April 2024, in the Barony Centre, West Kilbride, North Ayrshire.
The original brief was to explore the concept of growth within a creative practice. How a sense of space and place can impact on a body of work. How space is used for creative and personal growth.
Since the majority of my recent work has been abstract realism landscape and seascape paintings, most fitted this brief, well. Within my paintings Green landscapes represent new beginnings and growth. With the environment symbolising renewal and abundance. My seascapes with water invoking ideas of rejuvenation and transformation. I was keen to paint more – with trees, sunflowers, water and waterfalls all symbols of growth and renewal!
I decided to submit four paintings. Each containing symbols of space and growth. Traditionally, landscapes are obvious paintings to complete to represent the sensation of space, due to the ability to create depth in the painting. Although this was in my mind, I also wanted to draw the viewers eye to the concept and emotions within each painting. The green fields of wild flowers, sunflowers and trees. The fast flowing river giving the sensation of movement.
This landscape painting depicts various choices which will help you to grow.
The cliff at first glance may represent a hazard when thinking about a space to grow. However, when you look closer you see hope. There are vines growing all over the cliff face. These vines represent many helping hands to aid you to overcome the barrier of the cliff. At the top of the cliff face there are many trees growing far into the distance.
This is where the space to grow occurs.
For some, the route over the cliff may seem too difficult to follow. Another way on your journey in life is to venture over the waterfall and travel down the fast flowing river with its hazardous rocks dotted about its course.
As you grow in life you need to make choices that involve which route to go. Climb the cliff with its many aids to help you or follow the fast flowing river with unknown hazards such as waterfalls and rocks.
“New Beginnings”
This landscape painting gives you a sense of space by showing not only the wild flowers on the land but also the activities at sea.
The undulating land represents life. As we grow, progression in life is not linear. It has its ups and downs and the shape of the landscape in this painting represents those peaks and troughs we encounter as we make our way growing from childhood to adulthood.
A bird’s nest in the cherry blossom tree represents the birth of a new life. The butterflies are a symbol of transformation, growth and self discovery.
So, these are my four paintings that I think satisfy the brief of a space to grow. They are on display from March 28th to April 27th 2024 at the Barony Centre in West Kilbride. I hope you will manage to visit the exhibition as there are another 30 artists displaying their art work to the public. It will be lovely to see how each artist has interpreted the brief of “A Space to Grow”.
