Evolving as an artist

My style varies a little, to me a little too much though to others it doesn't. I guess I can be overly critical sometimes. However it's hard not to think about this. Artists seem to be under pressure in their early years to stick to a definitive style. This allows an artist to fully explore a chosen theme / technique before moving onto something else. Works are also more sellable if they are easily recognisable (it helps). It probably says something about my impatience as well. I get bored easily and a little too excited to try something new so this way of working just doesn't suit me. Painting is so exciting and full of unpredictable moments so I hate restricting myself. I have tried sticking with a really specific style (specific subject, color scheme, technique, format) but I always struggle with this and as an artist who constantly explores new ideas, it's going against the grain for me.

Angela Brennan is an artist whose work I have always loved. Her work is also varied (2 pics above "Splendid" on the top and "Faites l’amour pas la guerre" at the bottom). I saw her most recent solo exhibition at Niagara in May this year. Angela was identified as one of Australia’s 50 most collectible artists by Australian art Collector magazine in 2005 and is represented in major collections. Her work encompasses portraiture, text paintings and landscapes - the text painting above is from 2003 and the landscape is 2008. Her landscapes are my favourites, they are large and colorful and bold, they ooze confidence and spontaneity which I love. In her latest works she included a pearl type paint which glittered on an angle and was something so unexpected in a landscape. I believe she paints a lot on the floor (canvas flat on the ground) and I can just see the colors going onto the canvas in big broad motions. So full of energy to me, yet these bold areas of color still seem to have a calm floating stillness about them. Her work really moves me and is a must see in person as they are large paintings and so impressive. It's also nice to see an accomplished artist explore her subject matter with varied methods in the one exhibition...and all paint on canvas!