The Creative Process: Portuguese Gardens

The surrounding gardens of a hotel provided the inspiration for a playful series of images using the seemingly random layout of trees and shrubs. The lack of formality lead to some unusual juxtapositions of shape and colour. Initially a series of collages, I really enjoyed introducing a looser style when applying the paint for the foliage and flowers which is contrasted with the almost flat background.

The more time I spent amongst the gardens the more I wanted to put down the shapes and colours I was seeing. The bright Mediterranean sunlight gave the foliage sharp edges and beautifully contrasting colours against a brilliant blue sky. Despite the deep shadows I began to see the final images as flat - almost like a stage set, where the scenery has been wheeled into place, which of course meant that anything could go anywhere - the freedom to compose the final paintings with no regard to formal notions of making it real. When I returned to the studio at home I made some quick drawings in a notebook - exploring different ways of making the paintings. The collages that I eventually made from the sketches hold all the information I needed to make the final paintings which are all about colour, using basic shapes nothing too sophisticated - overall plant shapes reduced to a graphic shape.

The original series of Portuguese Gardens is available to buy here (click through) and prints are available to buy here (click through).

NEW SERIES: PORTUGUESE GARDENS

Portuguese Gardens

The surroundings gardens of a hotel provided the inspiration for a playful series of images using the seemingly random layout of trees and shrubs. The lack of formality lead to some unusual juxtapositions of shape and colour. Initially a series of collages, I really enjoyed introducing a looser style when applying the paint for the foliage and flowers which is contrasted with the almost flat background.

All original pieces from this series, using acrylic on board, are available to buy from this website through this link here. 

If you would prefer to see the originals, please contact me at Dave@davidlyonart.co.uk to arrange a viewing.

"Just One Blackbird..." finds its way to New York

It’s been an interesting week. One of the “Just One Blackbird...” images was picked up at a trade show in New York, Surtex, a show for original art and design. I’m not sure how, but I can only assume via PG Live, where I exhibited last month. A journalist from the New York Examiner has since interviewed me. The American market could be a new opportunity and one I want to explore. Many thanks to Meagan Meehan the journalist who published the article.

“Just One Blackbird...” 

"A series of 12 acrylic in hardboard paintings created from sketchbook doodles as an exercise in wish fulfilment.  

“Why don’t birds visit the garden as frequently? The colours used are an intensified palette to emphasise the imaginary nature of the series. The gardens are impressionistic with key elements reduced to graphic symbols (which follow on from the “Wildflowers” series).

Since the series was completed the birds have returned in larger numbers and in greater variety."

The full range can be seen here and the originals are available to buy here.