FLEETING MOMENTS
Runway Gallery artist Simone Webb reveals the creative process behind her distinctive ethereal style
AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL at 16 to pursue her love of fine art, Simone Webb eventually made the decision to explore the digital art world, embarking on a degree in graphic design and illustration at De Montfort University. Despite initial reservations, she found it transformed her creative style for the better. Now based in Brighton, Simone combines the traditional methods she knows and loves with more contemporary digital techniques to create striking artworks inspired by the transient beauty that can be found in nature. Here, she tells us more.
What is the story behind your style?
While I love flowers, I’m not green-fingered myself. Any attempt at keeping them thriving ended in failure, which led me to think about creating something that would last longer. Flora and fauna bloom and decay in painterly gestures across stark backgrounds – a fusion of their life cycle from beginning to end. They float gently, transcending time and space, which I hope ignites a sense of serenity and peace within the viewer.
Talk us through how you create your artwork...
I paint elements in acrylic, which I then scan into my computer and combine digitally in Photoshop before printing and adding accents, mainly gold leaf. I begin a piece with certain colours in mind, but they often change. I just go with what feels right in the moment.
Tell us about your influences?
I love the works of Jacob van Walscapelle and James Jean. I take a lot of colour inspiration from 18th century artworks, the rococo movement in particular.
Any artists you are impressed with at the moment?
I visited Nick Knight’s exhibition at Albion Barn in Oxford recently, which I found inspiring.
NEXT MONTH
Discover the fascinating story behind The Connor Brothers, British art dealers-turned-artists Mike Snelle and James Golding, who have recently collaborated with our sister brand Livingetc to produce two exclusive prints, now available at Runway Gallery.