Art by Nigel (Hawthorn)

Early morning, dusk and night often highlight the senses and provide the greatest emotions, so in some of my paintings I choose to replicate the times when your eyes are just becoming aware of the image through the gloom. I want people to stand back but also feel the need to come close to see the details.

I love painting in oils or acrylics - sometimes starting with freeform swooshes that become the background before focusing on the higher layers - I am investigating deep impasto to provide images that change depending on the angle of the viewer.

My “Gail” series starts with eyes and a mouth before typically obscuring the features behind paint - the images are then finalised in the viewer’s mind - I just provide the initial inspiration and imagination.

Reflecting the dull light often found in England, some of my paintings are partially obscured (dark or in rain or snow), inviting the viewer to move closer to inspect the work.

Sometimes the question is more around what isn’t there - and in my sculptures I hope people look at the negative space between the clay bones of the structure.

I can’t imagine a day without sketching, painting or other art creation - working on multiple items simultaneously - my studio is untidy, cluttered and full of fizz, like my mind.

https://www.threads.net/@nigel.hawthorn