“Love Connects You” oil painting of London
This cityscape painting is on show at gallery@lr at 71 Fenchurch Street until 8 April. The theme is of love and when you share something you enjoy with others, that connects you in a positive way. There is a butterfly and dragonfly dancing towards each other on the bridge hidden in the textures. My paintings of London show life in an etherial way.
Artist Statement by Sara Sherwood Contemporary Abstract Artist
There is beauty everywhere and I am captivated by the reflections, shapes and angles
of the city as well as the curves in nature. I interpret a view with emotion and express that in paint. My aim is to bring positivity into a work of art.
I begin to work as I am but with clear intention and faith by the end of the painting we have both been transformed into beauty with a strength that is beyond my understanding. When I am feeling very happy I use the lifted feeling in my heart to push the paint into joyous swoops and swirls and capture that moment of pleasure and freedom.
My spiritual journey and free thinking approach to fine art began in 2000. I studied at Bournemouth and Poole college of Art and Design from 1986 to 1988 and prior to that at Herefordshire college of Art and Design from 1984 to 1986. Having worked in the design sector for 16 years, I became a full time artist in 2005.
Working in oil on canvas, my passion is for colour, self-expression and fluidity. I love to work alla prima, putting colours down instinctively, blending with brushes and using my hands and a palette knife with intuition and spontaneity.
Inspiration comes from a source far greater than me: everyday moments; nature and life experiences all add to the creative process. When I paint I am fulfilled and aim to pass this love, spirituality and joy into my art.
Abstract painting “Double rainbow” by Sara Sherwood in oil on canvas
Painting tip for today is follow your heart when it comes to painting. To express yourself fully I believe art has to come from the heart. The happier and more positive you can be will impact your work and follow through into your creativity. My paintings of London, New York and Paris all have positive themes and my focus is to uplift and be joyous. The abstract painting below also holds a kind wish for the couple that commissioned it. For me the process of painting is cathartic and will also heal me as I work in oil on canvas.
Cityscape “I found the bottom of the rainbow” abstract art by Sara Sherwood
This painting of London is about gratitude, the inspiration “I found the bottom of the rainbow” came to me when I was thinking about my art and how happy I am when I paint and when I make someone else happy when the art gives them pleasure in their home or office. I have found my pot of gold. In this contemporary work of art the colours are fresh and bright on a white background which captures the essence of spring and new life in a cityscape.
“We all love Sunflowers”, abstract mixed media painting on paper by Sara Sherwood
How to create an abstract work of art? Just start painting and have fun.
Let go of all expectation of what you are going to create and just start playing with paint or whatever medium you choose. Have lots of paper or canvas and be prepared to experiment, that is how you find your own style. Just do rather than think about doing and with this open approach you can try all sorts of tools, brushes, palette knives, straws, sticks, hands. When you are relaxed and in a playful state positive pure creativity can happen. You may find elements in this playful state that are really beautiful and will try again and again in new colours and on different materials. Painting on board is different to canvas and painting on paper offers an opportunity for different results. I often take paper when I travel and create my smaller works abroad. I am keen on mixed media on oil paper and use pencil, oil paint and gold leaf in many of my small works of art. Just have a go and see what happens…
Abstract oil painting of Landscape by Sara Sherwood
This abstract oil painting was created on commission as corporate art for City Asset in London. They ordered a range of hand embellished prints of London for their meeting room suite and then decided on an original oil on canvas for their reception area. The brief was to create something welcoming and warm to compliment the reception area. This work of art was painted “all-prima” in a semi-abstract style. The office does not have natural light so I was keen to bring the beauty of the great outdoors inside.
Painting of London “Basking in Sunshine” by Sara Sherwood
This oil painting of London was inspired by the protection of St Pauls’ Cathedral during the second world war. It is also fused with the idea of flowers in hanging baskets in and around the city. In this cityscape I wanted to create an abstract work of art that was uplifting and full of life. It has 22 carat gold leaf in the centre of many flowers which adds a richness to the oil painting. For more paintings of London, Paris, New York, Venice and Hong Kong please visit www.sarasherwood.co.uk.