EASTERN

I had the wonderful opportunity of travelling to the far-east with my daughter for a family wedding, which was held in a remote part of western China. The first-hand experience of traditional Chinese culture, was memorable. We found ourselves caught up in the colour and pageantry of a traditional Chinese wedding, the excitement of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), the grandeur of the Forbidden City, the contrast of rural villages, the awe inspiring Great Wall and the historical life size Terra Cotta Warriors. I returned with my head visually swimming from this travel adventure. This eastern series of paintings were done with acrylic paint applied with a great amount of texture and movement. Celebrations in China go on for days… there are explosions of fireworks, dragon dances and parades. I have used purples, reds and yellows, which explode on a white background. By contrast, our travels to remote traditional Chinese villages, filled with wooden hillside houses, rice paddies and water buffalo, inspired me to paint these with muted browns and greys. I have used colour and texture to express feeling of place.