Artist's Drawing & Inspiration
For the thrill of it all
A passion for colour ignites Chris’creativity.
For as long as I can remember no surface has been safe from my creative endeavours: walls, furniture, tiles, fences all fell victim to my artistic fervour. Not that I limited myself to two dimensional masterpieces, whether it be clay from a nearby culvert or cutting down old clothing for dress-ups, I could always be found in some quiet corner working on my latest brainstorm – oblivious to the outside world. I sometimes think that it was in sheer desperation that my mother made my first visual diaries out of sheets of butcher paper sewn into pages. My most memorable birthday present was a set of water colours; scarlet lake and Indian yellow the prized colours, gone before all others.
At school Art was the only important subject to my mind. I was very competitive and achieved high marks. Marriage and the arrival of my children put paid to my aspirations as an artist. When I am working on a painting my concentration is always 110 per cent. As when I was a child, the outside world does not exist so
I had to make a decision: be a good parent or a good artist. This was a no brainer; my children are the foremost joy of my life. I found an outlet for my creativity through working with children in playgroups, school holiday programs, running a puppet show and various home crafty things
before eventually returning to study to become a teacher with Visual Arts as my major. Consequently I found work as an Art and Music teacher in a primary school. It is a wonderful experience to work with children on
Art projects. Their ideas are so fresh without preconceived ideas on how things “should” be. Teaching, for now, is behind me and my children all grown, allowing me the time to indulge myself and paint to my heart’s content.
Pinning down a specific inspiration is extremely difficult. I love to explore and experiment with all media and subjects but it is colour that excites me. Luscious, gorgeous, juicy colour! My current foray into oil pastel is a reflection of this absorption. The jewel-like pigments coupled with the tactile silkiness of the pastels themselves make the production of my art works a sensual experience. I love to blend with my fingers. Not for me the cold, indifferent paper tortillions that hold themselves aloof from the proceedings. (Well, until I get into tight places working on details). Although I begin with an assortment of harder pastels, my Senneliers afford me the most pleasure. It’s almost as though I am painting with lipsticks, the textures are so luxurious. Reading between the lines, you may come to the conclusion that my artworks are as much a physical exercise as they are intellectual. You’d be right, of course. I have never been able to separate the two. I feel my way through a painting: intellectually, emotionally and physically. Did I hear someone say, “Don’t we all?”
It won’t come as surprise then to find that artists who have been master colourists have played an important role in the development of my own style. Franz Marc, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Klimt, Stephen Quiller, Roland Roycroft, Arthur Streeton,
John Percival... the list is long. When I look at their works I can’t help but revel in the play of one colour against another - the masterly juxtaposition of colours that thrills the viewer. This is my quest: to become proficient in the use of colour to convey the delight I find there. For me, however, it is indeed an arduous road filled with frustration when an idea fails but I can be lifted to the heavens with a success.
To date I have only entered my work in the occasional exhibition although my art can be found in a number of private collections. For the last three years I have been a member of a group of friends who gather regularly to go on art weekends. One of my sisters is a member of this groups and a proficient artist in her own right: I come from a large and very creative family. We have held one joint exhibition at the Old
Mill in Portarlington on the Bellerine Peninsula and are planning another for next year at a different venue. I recently worked on the scenery for a production of “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” for a local musical society which I enjoyed immensely. It involved paint effects on a large scale which gave me an opportunity to learn more about painting and light techniques.
My first sale will always live in my memory. I was with a large painting group on a cliff overlooking the surf beach at Sorrento working on a watercolour of the scene before me when a yacht appeared on the horizon. Suddenly a massive wave tilted the yacht like a toy. The angle of the yacht on the back of the wave
Broken tail
and the beautiful sea green of the water, backlit by the sun, was too good to resist. I made a very quick calligraphic sketch with my water colours while the image was fresh in my mind. That painting was included in the Portarlington exhibition as a bit of a “filler”. It sold! I might add that I was very sorry to sell it. The serendipitous holds its own magic.
I enjoy exploring ideas and techniques so my work is always experimental.
Since giving more time to my art works, I have noticed a marked improvement and confidence in what I do. So even a little practice has a great deal of value. I am one of those people who need to create. If you are reading this magazine then you most likely know what I mean. There is no choice. The ideas come fast and strong and plague me until I get started. My inspiration may come from something I’ve read or discussed as much as something I have seen, perhaps a curiosity about a medium or technique, a simple doodle or a failed painting that I rework. Driving can be hazardous because if my eyes light on an enticing scene or trick of light, it is as though my mind has taken a photo and the world appears to stand still. Unfortunately the car does not and it takes a concentrated effort to bring myself back to the task at hand. Luckily this does not happen often and I now make a habit of taking my camera everywhere.
I am currently working with oil pastels and coloured pencils however, I utilise a variety of media including mixed media. It’s the thrill of exploration that attracts me ..... and those beautiful colours. My artwork is about many things but beauty in nature, most especially the beach, has been the main theme for many years. Recent times have also found statements on environmental issues sneaking their way into my work. Although not yet wholly formed, future works will see a bias in the direction of these crucial issues.
Gallery page: www.facebook.com/chrislloydartstudio
Email: studioc@hotmail.com.au
To view my work go to: http://www.facebook.com/chrislloydartstudio