Charlotte Atkinson
The Creative Impulse...
I have always been something of a dreamer, and
for me, painting is a way of exploring the depths of my own
imagination. I am not concerned with reflecting reality, but
rather with bringing the images and colours that live inside
my mind to life on the canvas. My emotional desire to paint
is often triggered by the ocean however. I am constantly transfixed
by its flowing natural shapes and beautiful colours, and I hope
I am able to recreate some of this liberating energy in my work.
Another inspiration for me is the mythology that always seems
to surround coastlines within the context of different cultures.
I view these as stories created by the landscape, and similarly,
I want my pictures to grow out of a combination of nature and
imagination, and to inspire dreams in others.
The individuals and styles that have influenced
me over the years are too many to mention, but a few examples
are Max Ernst, the early fashion illustrations of Benitot (for
their wonderful simplicity of line), the writings of William
Blake and Iris Murdoch, the unfettered architecture of Gaudi,
and the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt.
The Creative Process...
I have to confess that I am not very methodical
in my work and generally have two paintings on the go at any
one time. When I get excited about a particular piece however,
I will work on it exclusively until it feels right, but if I
try to force the creative process I find it impossible to achieve
anything positive. I have always loved experimenting with all
kinds of media, as I find this gives me the freedom to paint
with genuine spontaneity. I enjoy using pastels as they offer
such a range of intensities of colour and allow me to create
the shimmering impression that is vital to my vision; I also
often employ inks, gouache and oils, which allow me to blend
colours in the precise way I choose; on occasion I will even
mix my paints with some other substance to achieve a particular
effect, and this allows me not only to have control over the
image, but also over the texture which I believe is equally
important to the finished composition.
Background...
Charlotte was born in the great naval city of
Plymouth in 1973 and grew up with a natural fascination for
the sea. After training to be an illustrator at the University
of Derby and Hereford College of Art, her love of coastal life
drew her to Scotland where she was invited to become Artist
in Residence at a rural centre for the arts. Charlotte says:
“The moment when I first knew I wanted to be a professional
artist was when I was asked to produce some work for a refuge
centre for women who had suffered domestic violence, and I created
a series of pieces reflecting on acceptance and harmony. The
whole experience of liaising with the refuge and seeing people's
response to the finished images was immensely rewarding and
inspiring, and proved to me that art really can make a difference.”
Since becoming a professional artist Charlotte has showcased
her work throughout the South of England and has enjoyed numerous
successful exhibitions in London, York, Inverness, Galloway
and Dallas, Texas. Following her success at the Fine Art Trade
Guilds Awards in 2000, where she was awarded the prestigious
title of 'Artist Exhibition Winner', her work attracted a great
deal of attention leading to the publication of her first collection
of Limited Editions, which sold out in a matter of weeks. Since
then her reputation has gone from strength to strength, and
her Original Paintings, Limited Edition Prints, Sculptures and
Glassware have quickly achieved the status of collector’s
items.
