Contemporary Floral painting – Dreaming of Spring by Michelle Carolan
This weeks’ ‘artwork of the week’ is a contemporary floral painting by Michelle Carolan. In Michelle’ s expressive style, this acrylic painting combines spring colours and expressive brush strokes.
The artwork is painted with acrylic paint, on box canvas at 60 x 60 x 4cm.
In Michelle’s words
This gestural floral piece captures the essence of spring. The lively mix of yellow, burnt sienna and pink creates a sense of energy and freshness, while the expressive brush marks give the piece an organic almost whimsical vibe. The painting is strung and ready to hang. Sides painted white. Signed on front and back. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
About Michelle
I love to create vibrant, uplifting paintings full of expression and atmosphere! My main inspiration is nature, and I am fascinated by the vibrant colours and textures of constantly changing seasons.
I try to capture luminosity and shadows in my work, drawing the viewer in to discover hidden gems within the canvas through layers of colour and texture. My paintings have found homes across Europe, South East Asia, and the USA.
QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST
Firstly, the artwork captures the essence of spring really well. How have you captured this essence in the artwork?
I tried to capture the essence of spring by using gestural brush strokes, giving an almost whimsical impression. Also mixing soft tones with bright pops of yellow, to capture the lively energy of the season. I applied lots of layers, adding and rubbing away revealing the colours underneath and creating depth.
Do you always use acrylic paints in your artworks? And if so, why? Or have you experimented with other mediums?
I have experimented with oils, but once I found acrylic paints I never looked back. I find acrylics easier to use as the dry time is much quicker, which allows me to work in layers without long wait times. They also have the added benefit of being easy to clean up which is a win for me!
How long would an artwork like this take to produce? And what challenges, if any, do you face creating them?
It varies. Sometimes a painting like this will take two to three weeks to complete, but other times much longer. My process involves a lot of adding and removing paint, revealing underlying layers to establish the right balance.
Have you always painted in this expressive style? Or have you experimented with other styles?
I love the freedom of painting in this expressive impulsive style as it feels natural to me. However, lately I have been enjoying painting in a more abstract style, experimenting with more abstract shapes and compositions.
Lastly, which artists inspire you?
I was originally inspired by Monet and Matisse, but now I appreciate all different types of artists depending on my mood.