Aurora Spain
LATEST ACTIVITIES. 2008-9 is proving to be a busy and productive year. In my latest paintings I've been mixing 'pictures that tell a story' like 'First Date', with surreal experiments in colour contrasts, like 'Contemplementary Tulips' (yes, that's the right spellng!)and evocative vignettes like 'Slightly imperfect' - see these at the end of my gallery for 2006-8. I've been equally busy doing demonstrations for local art societies and have several more coming up (as well as my regular class in Sunningdale) - see the later entries in 'My events'. You'll also see there my latest exhibition in part of the Windsor Festival Fringe Open Houses.
MY APPROACH AND BACKGROUND. The purpose of my paintings is to lift the spirits. They do this by combining passionate colour with images drawn both from nature and imagination. I use elements of fantasy, sometimes bordering on surrealism, but always grounded in close observation of nature. I am fascinated by the theory as well as practice of light and colour. I also draw on all this in my commissions and in my teaching, which I see as an intrinsic part of my development and communication, whether in my weekly classes, painting holidays in the inspirational setting of San Nicolau, Catalonia, workshops or individual tuition.
I have been a professional artist since 1995. My continual passion for the creative visual arts and the love of colour has led me to develop personalised and unique techniques through extensive research, study of the work of notable artists and constant experimentation with colour, practical applications and composition.
I studied at the JJA Academy of Art and Design, the Open College of the Arts and South Hill Park. I am also expert in decorative paint effects, gilding and restoration.
Much of my work is carried out to commission, which I find both challenging and exciting. I proceed by developing a collaboration of vision between the client and myself. Initial options are fined down after a process of stimulating ideas and considering moods and formats, respecting the client's colour preferences and the decor to be complemented. Once the approach has been settled I produce one or several drawings for approval before starting the final painted work. The result is an artwork which is unique, both meeting the client’s expectations and constantly widening my repertoire. Recent commissions include a series of murals of Shakespearian scenes, fairy motifs on an heirloom cot, and triangular paintings of distant vistas for the eaves of a converted barn.
For a wider view of my work, tuition and painting holidays please see the Galleries and Tuition sections of this website.
Riverside Gallery, Barnes, London
Café Gallery, Southwark, London
Swan Walk (town centre), Crawley (one-woman exhibition)
Bouville Wright Gallery, Maidenhead
Circle Gallery, Sunningdale
Oberon Gallery, Burnham
Henley on Thames Gallery (one-woman exhibition)
Royal House, Henley
Binfield Gallery, Binfield
Chocolate Theatre Café, Windsor
Princes Risborough Gallery
Stoke Poges Village Centre
Cookham Art Show
CMI Building, Sunningdale
Windsor Street Galleries, Chertsey, Surrey (Rendezvous Renoirs group exhibition)
My weekly class on Thursdays in Sunningdale, Berkshire continues on its lively, enjoyable way. It is mostly up to capacity but usually there are a few people moving out of the area so we can take on new people.
Autumn term 2010 starts 9 Sept, and this year's members will exhibit at the CMI Building on the 26th.
My other upcoming demonstrations and workshops around the south east include:
Petersfield Arts and Crafts Society, 5 June 2010, 10.30-4, Landscape workshop
Crowthorne and Sandhurst Arts Society, Demonstration, 11 June 2010, 7.30 pm (Landscape)
Guild of Wiltshire Artists, Demonstration, 21 June 7.30 pm (flower painting)
Teaching style: I encourage both beginners and experienced artists to develop their own style whilst learning about the tools of painting technique - colour, composition, value, rhythm, the use of mixed media and many other aspects. I am a WEA-trained tutor and an experienced course leader on all aspects of painting.
Watercolour, Oils, Pen And Wash, Pastels, Pencil/Charcoal, Acrylics, Mixed Media, Collage, Glass, Gouache, Varnishing, Gilding, Fabric
Animals, Landscape, Abstract, Buildings, Figure, Flowers And Gardens, Impressionism, Still Life, Colour Mixing, Portrait, Decorative Art, Expressionism, Fantasy, Illustration
Berkshire, United Kingdom Mainland