Geometric painting ‘Harmony in the Land of Shapes’ by Stephen Conroy
Our artwork of the week is ‘Harmony in the Land of Shapes’, a colourful geometric painting by Stephen Conroy. It is a large brightly coloured artwork of multi-coloured shapes which cover the whole canvas. The artist has used acrylic paints on box canvas and it is ready to hang
Stephen has created the piece in acrylic paints on a box canvas at 80 x 80cm square 4.5cm deep.
In Stephen’s Words
This painting continues my experiment in the intuitive use of simple geometric shapes, and the use of very thin, almost transparent layers of paint to create a myriad of further geometric shapes and a wonderful array of tones and colours. Using rollers and fan brushes, the painting is produced on a deep edged, gallery style canvas measuring 80cm by 80cm by 4.5cm. The sides of the canvas are white, the picture is finished with a protective and colour enhancing gloss varnish and it is ready to hang. It is initialled and dated on the side
SEE MORE ARTWORK BY STEPHEN CONWAY
QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST
Firstly, I love the bright colours used for your artwork. How do you create such intensity? It is the way you place colours side by side, the paints you use, or both.
I normally work on black primed canvas and use thick layers of pure colour. In this particular painting I worked on the white surface. I used acrylics mixed with an acrylic gloss medium to create very thin layers of paint to utilise the light of the surface. Even after overlaying many shapes to create unexpected colours, the white canvas is still shining through.
Are your still life paintings created from real life, or do you use images/photographs as reference?
My still life paintings are imagined from memory. I find using anything observed inhibiting – a picture is something observed that may inspire me and act as a starting point. But I hide away any references once I start painting.
How do you set out a pattern for the artworks? Is it set out before you start to add colour, or are the shapes created as you paint?
My technique varies. With still lifes for example I pretty much draw out the whole design before adding colour. This painting I started with a central yellow square and then added each shape and colour intuitively. It is quite a frightening technique because mistakes are hard to correct. There is no going back!
What is your favourite subject to paint and why?
I am happiest exploring and experimenting with shape and colour. So I don’t have a favourite subject to paint.
Lastly, which artist, place or thing, inspires you?
A need to create joy and happiness within – my life is my main driving force. Moments like my painting being chosen, the recognition, inspire me and give me the energy to move forward.
About the Artist
My work is an eclectic mix of abstract reliefs, acrylic paintings and paper cut outs, all on canvas. My subject matter is equally wide ranging, including nudes, often inspired by classical subject matter, geometric abstracts inspired by a love of music and astronomy, and still life’s. Throughout all of my work there exists the core elements of vibrant colour, bold shapes and strong composition. Artists that inspire my work include Delaunay, Matisse, Klee, Kandinsky and Cezanne to name but a few.
SEE MORE ARTWORK BY STEPHEN CONWAY
