Leading up to my exhibition this April, I have been working on a new mixed media paper series called "Talking animals". The aim of this collection is to bring encouragement and positive words, together with humorous, iconic animals. I have allowed myself freedom to paint whatever and however I like, and while they are a series, each one is unique and different.
So where did the inspiration come from? This painting above was the first one I painted, and at the time I didn't know it would turn into a whole series. When I had finished this painting and was pondering on what to name it, I found myself thinking, I need to capture that expression in the monkey's eyes, but I couldn't condense it down to some clever, snappy title. The monkey was just saying to me, "It's going to be okay".
As I continued to paint the animals, all of them seemed to come alive with their own individual personalities. They were speaking little messages to me, which is why I named the series "Talking animals". I believe there is a lot that we can learn from animals. They lead simple lives, standing tall and proud no matter how low in the food chain. They don't care what your think of them, they just are who they are. People ask me why I paint so many animals, but my question is why wouldn't I? They bring us all so much joy.
These paintings have been created using a number of materials, from watercolours/acrylics, pencils, pens, inks etc. Whatever I find in my hand at the time. For most of these, the process starts with a simple sketch, and then I add colours using paints in a professional manner, and then I go crazy at the end.
I have purposefully left these paintings unframed, because I want the buyer to have the freedom to chose how they want to display the artwork, as I think it adds a more personal touch. They can be brought online through my website, (Find them in the "Gallery" - "Framed collection") or you can see them all in person at my exhibition, so make sure to come visit!
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- Sophie