Angelika Lialios

Hesse, Germany, acrylic, 90 x 70 cm

My Inspiration

My initial inspiration can be anything. Parthenocissus leaves growing over a garden fence, bright red in the afternoon sun, interwoven with green ivy, a fading pale yellow rose with rosehips, and old iron gate. But underlying all that is my love for nature, for botany and for flowers, gardens and all things growing. In my free time you will often find me in my study, perusing books of exploration voyages and plant collectors of the 18th and 19th century. Or you might see me in my nursery tending to my plants. Some of the flowers in my paintings are ones that I grew from seeds or cuttings.

My Design Strategy

Once I have an idea I hunt for images. I go on long walks through gardens taking detailed photos of anything that feeds my inspiration. I focus on the flowers I have chosen, colours and light. Then I go back to my study and build my image. I cut up the photos and create a collage. Then it’s about finding my destination, my path. The place I want to go to in this painting. And this creates the whole image. It dictates where the light and shade falls. Where the intense colours go and where the eyes settle, so that when you look at the painting I take you on my journey and you walk through the garden with me.

My Working Process

My working process varies. In this case I started at the top of the painting with the hanging leaves of the cherry tree and the plants on the fence, working my way down the edges to the flowers and shrubs on the left and the hydrangea on the right. I then focused on the middle, gradually building the pathway, letting the plants around it grow brach by branch, leaf by leaf. I included the terracotta pots to enhance the golden autumn colours. As when working with watercolours I left the light spaces blank until the end and filled them in last.

Finalist

Contact Details

Email: lion_lios@hotmail.com

Website: www.angelikalialios.com