Artists of the Month: February 2024
This month we have selected 5 amazing artists for our Artist of the Month of March 2024. We have a unique selection of contemporary artists who have caught our attention. From the naive art of Martin Whittam and Elisa Trueman, to the classical realistic landscapes of Paula Oakley. In fact there is something for all tastes. Art2Arts the first choice gallery to buy art
Martin Whittam
Artists quote: “The people that collect my work tell me that every time they look at a painting of mine it makes them smile. I like that, it provides me with all the motivation I need”
Martin was born in Radcliffe, Lancashire, England, in 1961. After studying Fine Art at Liverpool Art School he pursued a career in education. Teaching for thirty three years in inner city Manchester, then working for The Bahamas Ministry of Education. Eventually becoming the Head of Art and Design at an independent Grammar School in Cheshire. He has now retired from teaching and paints full time.
Martin’s fascination for exploring every aspect of watercolour and acrylic painting. His skills of draughtsmanship, precision, accuracy, detail and unique, quirky style. Combining these with his deep affection for the North West of England. His paintings have been commissioned and purchased for private collections in this country and abroad.
SEE ARTWORKS BY MARTIN WHITTAM
Julia Everett
Artists quote: “I’m so lucky to be doing what I love, painting is all I’ve ever wanted to do!”
I am an abstract seascape painter inspired by nature and music. Painting from memory rather than life I want to evoke a sense of place, however abstract the work becomes. My paintings are influenced by the British Coastline, particularly Sussex and Cornwall. The sea provides me with powerful inspiration and I am endlessly fascinated with the horizon and its symbolism.
Lately, I have been mesmerised by the colours and light of the sea and sky and I have painted a series of seascapes depicting this. Some of which have turned out to be quite simple and abstract, while others have been more wild and figurative. Often paint with my hands and with sponges rather than brushes. I love pure colour, often using paint straight from the tube and sometimes blend it on the canvas with my fingers.
Together with horizons, my work has a recurring theme of time and an exploration of changing light, particularly at sunset. My studio in Hastings has a view of the sea so I can work straight onto the canvas, which I feel gives the painting a freshness. I am often instantly inspired by the colours in the sky from my window, which is where I will start and see where it takes me.
Music
Music is integral to my work and I always listen to songs to get me in the zone when painting. I feel this has a strong influence on how the painting turns out. For me, music triggers memories and feelings. Each painting is an emotional response to a sensory experience and an attempt to recapture how it felt to be in a particular place at a certain time. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of dreamy folk music. The likes of Johnny Flynn, Martha Tilston, John Martyn and Sandy Denny. I think this adds an ethereal quality to the paintings and I often get lost in the music and don’t realise where the time goes.
I always title my work from songs. Lyrics often jumping out at me while I’m painting, that seem to fit the artwork perfectly. I feel that a snippet of a song lyric as a title, gives the painting extra depth. I have always felt driven to paint and can’t imagine doing anything else.
Crispin Hilger-Ellis
Artists quote: ‘It’s hard to define what I love about being an artist, but I am compelled to express myself creatively. For me it is relaxing, satisfying and adds a positive meaning to life’.
Hi, My name is Crispin and I have always loved art in all its forms, from naturalistic to abstract.
I studied and worked as a Graphic Designer all my life and now want to fulfil my passion as an artist. Graphic design helped me understand composition, colours and form. However working on a computer cannot compete with the physical mixing and applying of paint onto canvas.
I love to create scenes of mountains with lakes, in oils and using traditional stretched canvases. I am drawn to a symmetrical composition, with contrast between dark and light tonal values, this adds a sense of drama. Additionally, I create the paintings using more abstract brush strokes to add physical depth and a tactile quality to the final result.
SEE ARTWORKS BY CRISPIN HILGER-ELLIS
Paula Oakley
Artists quote: “There is something magical about being out in the countryside. Listening to the birdsong, breathing in the scented air and just absorbing nature”.
I am a contemporary realist painter working with acrylics on canvas. My inspiration comes from the beautiful and interesting landscapes that surround me in the county of Sussex (UK). Here you will often find me out walking and exploring on a quest to find the next stunning view to capture on canvas.
My paintings are created by building up thin layers and glazes. This retains a smooth surface for detail whilst the grain of the canvas prevents the painting from looking too photographic.
My love of bold colours ensures that each work is … a little bit clearer…. a little bit brighter… and….a little bit more colourful than real life!
Elisa Trueman
Artists quote: “What I love most about being an artist is seeing photos from customers of my work on their walls. Also hearing how pleased they are with their painting, that makes my day”.
Art has been my passion since I was a young child and could first hold a paintbrush. I was due to study a degree in fine art at Southampton but joined the forces at the last moment.
After several years painting superheroes for my children I picked up my paintbrush seriously again and began creating contemporary and naive artworks.
My work is in Art Galleries in Perranporth, Penryn and Milford Marina and sells regularly in Auction Room contemporary art events. I’m a member of the Association of British Naive Artists and my work was exhibited in St Ives with them in June 2023. Recently a fellow artist commented that my work is recognisable. It could be anywhere in the World and they would know it was one of mine. The best feeling is when a customer says that my art has brought joy to their home.
