Laurie Clark

I am a multi-disciplined artist who creates art through various techniques including painting , photography, mixed media and printmaking, which I studied at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am excited by the possibilities of different materials and how their properties can determine a final outcome.

Whichever medium I am using, pattern, colour and space always feature heavily in my work. I am currently developing a series of paintings infusing vintage wallpaper designs, fabrics and nature. They are heavily influenced by the patterns and colours of the Art Deco period, in particular the work of Henry Mackintosh. Within these paintings I have tried to give a sense of history , leaving the impression that they are fragments of a time gone by.

A key characteristic of many of my paintings is the smooth gradation of colour in focal areas. A technique I commonly use to create this is layering different coloured paints from light to dark and then using a cloth to rub away at the top darkest layer; subtly revealing the colours beneath. Once colour has been established I then go on to add definition and detail.

Artists who inspire me are Beatriz Milhaze and her bold use of print, Mark Rothko’s use of complimentary colours and the contemporary surface patterns of designers such as Petra Boase and Atelier Izc.