Becky Syson
I’m a self taught artist with a love of everything creative and inspirational. Being an aspiring singer-songwriter, I have most recently self-released my debut album ‘H.O.L.L.A.N.D’ and toured the UK, supporting the likes of Phil Campbell, Martha Tilston, and Amy Studt and recording a live acoustic feature for BBC Nottingham. The title track ‘H.O.L.L.A.N.D’ is a song that I wrote about two years ago after a moment’s inspiration whilst visiting my grandparents' home. It was my grandmas' birthday at the time and in one of her cards, in my grandad’s spider like handwriting was written the word 'H.O.L.L.A.N.D'.
My grandma told me that this anagram stood for ‘Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies', and was a constant feature in his letters to her written throughout their lives together. She still keeps all those letters today, many of which were sent when my grandad was stationed far from home in Gatow, close to Berlin as an RAF Police Dog Handler. It's heart-warming to know that over 50 years later my grandad still writes 'H.O.L.L.A.N.D' in my grandmas' birthday cards. Their love has stood the test of time, and this led me to think how I would feel to be parted from the people I loved? What must it be like for so many other soldiers, in so many other conflicts, torn apart from their families and loved ones? What could possibly keep them all going when times get tough?
My song 'H.O.L.L.A.N.D' is not only dedicated to my grandparents; Maurice and Olive Syson, but also to my own true love and to everyone around the world who believes in love, hope and peace. My song is a calling for peace and a hope that one day we can live with ourselves, each other and the earth without conflicts that tear us apart.
The acrylic paintings that I produced for my album launch night are a reflection of my album artwork and represent a little insight into each individual song. My decision to use only black and white was done deliberately to highlight the inspiration behind my songs; light and dark, life and death, peace and war. It is then left to my songs to colour in the rest.
My other artworks are based around the ideas of human imagination and nature; their connections, mysteries and spirit. Here I use a combination of pencil, pastels and collage to create something unique and alive with texture and contrast. I work as I think; that every moment of life holds endless possibilities and inspirations. To capture that moment in a song or a piece of art is my driving force and once inspiration takes hold I’m lost in the flow of creativity.
Beth Choo
Strength & Fragility (Acrylic on canvas, 2008)Beth completed a Fine Art degree specialising in Painting at Loughborough University, and has since gone on to train in the field of Art Therapy.
She looks for beauty in all things and represents this in both a realistic and abstract way. Science and nature is a recurring theme in her work, and she often focusses on the use of texture.
Beth is available for commissions.
Multiplefrogs@hotmail.com
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.
Gemma Fielding
My artworks are experiments in which my paintbrush takes many forms; my hands, newspaper, cardboard, the paint tube… Every different tool makes its own unique mark. I paint in layers, moving away from the piece at each stage, returning with fresh eyes, then adding new blocks of colour or scraping parts away. A painting can take from hours to days to complete and every piece is unique as I never have a set idea of how the canvas will turn out in the end. I may select certain colours that I’d like to work with but am very spontaneous with the application.Inspiration can come from anywhere… nature, people, everyday objects, decay, graffiti, patterns, the skyline, buildings… I see beautiful images everywhere, which I hold in my mind and translate into an abstract work of art
I am influenced in particular by 1950’s Abstract Expressionism. Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns are particular favourites for their experimental and innovative techniques.
Painting for me is an enjoyable and relaxing escape from reality. It’s free and organic and the results can never be determined. I easily get attached to my paintings as I know I’ll never do a piece like it again.
Email: gemmafielding81@hotmail.com
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