Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings & Prints by John Sprakes ROI RBA MAFA

https://johnsprakes.wordpress.com/

Artist’s statement:

“The movement of light and colour across landscape and interiors is a constant source of inspiration to me.  Composition, form and texture play an important part in the construction of my work.  Creating the illusion of three-dimensional space on the two-dimensional surfaces, produces the kind of visual magic that enables the spectator to experience a new way of seeing”.

Method of Working

Most of John’s paintings are taken from life.  He uses drawing as an act of discovery allowing him to explore the visual world.  Drawing is the starting point for most of his ideas.  The landscapes of Norfolk, Suffolk and Northumberland are a constant source of inspiration to him.  Wide expanses and the intense light found along these coastlines evoke motions that inhabit his paintings.  His still life paintings draw upon memories that are historical, social and of childhood days distilled together in the final image.  John is interested in the way objects interact presenting a past, present and future.  Their incongruous juxtaposition adds a visual tension to the overall image.  John uses acrylics, Liquitex, canvas, board, paper, card, a brush, palette knife, drawing media of all kinds, photography and colourful gesso grounds.  He works mainly from life but sometimes uses photography for information and investigation.  He tends to plan paintings using sketched studies done on the spot.  He also works directly from nature.  His still life paintings and interiors are painted in his studio, where he sometimes invites visitors and organises open studio days.