Lake District Solitude by Carole Russell
“Lake District Solitude” by Carole Russell is a beautiful landscape painting in acrylic on canvas. The artwork measures 61 x 46 cm and is ready to hang. This piece transports the viewer to the serene beauty of the Lake District, capturing the essence of nature’s tranquillity.
The focal point of the painting is a crystal-clear lake, its surface mirroring the surrounding landscape. The artist skilfully employs olive green and orange tones to bring life to the distant mountains. These create a stunning reflection in the still waters. This choice of colours evokes a sense of warmth and serenity. The isolation of the scene are further emphasised by a small island of rocks nestled in the lake.
Carole, a UK-based artist, embarked on her artistic journey in 2007 and has since achieved recognition in the art world. Becoming an associate member of the Nottingham Society for Artists in 2009 speaks to her dedication and talent. Her participation in regular group exhibitions and winning the Holbrook prize for “Baby got blue eyes” in 2012 demonstrates her remarkable artistic prowess.
Furthermore, Carole’s status as a finalist in the Society for All Artists competition and her selection for The Nottingham Castle Open Art competition. “Lake District Solitude” is a testament to her ability to capture the beauty of nature and convey the tranquillity of a moment. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in the peaceful and idyllic landscape of the Lake District.
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Question to the artist about the artwork
What inspired you to create this piece? Was there a specific moment or place that served as the muse for this piece?
I don’t travel much, but when I see a friend’s post on Facebook that gets my creative attention I ask if I may paint it. This is one of those paintings. My star sign is cancer so I think that is why I’m drawn to painting water.
The stillness of the water and the solitary island of rocks create a sense of serenity and isolation. Can you tell us more about the emotions or atmosphere you aimed to convey?
I was trying to convey that even in the darkest of places there is beauty and serenity. Our lives are fluid like the abstract nature of reflections in water, the pathways to choose towards water or away into the hills speaks of our choices in life.
How do you approach the use of acrylics in your work? Are there any particular techniques or challenges you encountered while working on the piece?
I chose to work in acrylics, as I have no permanent studio, oils would be impractical. I love their fast drying nature and ability to glaze over and over. I’m self taught so I learnt as I went along in the beginning. I do a quick “sketch” in watered down acrylics straight onto the canvas then start building up the colour. I wanted a misty feeling over the hills so painted the sky whilst the hills were still damp, which created a blurred edge. The stones and hills are painted using a flat brush (my favourite) and the rule of thirds was used for the composition.
Your artistic journey has led you to become an associate member of the Nottingham Society for Artists. How has your artistic style evolved over the years, and where does “Lake District Solitude” fit into this evolution?
Unfortunately I am no longer a member of the SAA (funds are tight!) but it was an excellent experience sharing ideas with fellow artists, as well as opened doors into exhibiting. This piece was an experiment in a looser style. I’m currently being commissioned for pet portraits and my style has evolved to tighter realism in order to capture the personality of the subject.
VIEW ALL ARTWORKS BY CAROLE RUSSELL
