Christine OConnor
I have lived most of my life in the south. My painting journey started when I discovered that life was too short to not express myself creatively and I gained an extra mural Diploma of Art and Creativity (Honours) from The Learning Connexion, International Schoolof Art, Wellington. Now art is what makes me feel alive. Through my work I aim to bring the power of art to the viewer too. My focus is figurative and bold. Using physical energy involving the application of paint, being decisive using a range of mediums and tools. I don’t paint to match your curtains but to satisfy my need for expression. Striving to paint with intensity, grit and attitude. Art for me is an emotional journey and every piece I create contains a ‘piece of me’. I have been playing with applying thick paint with a palette knife. What has emerged from this is works created with strong colours and textures satisfying my need for expression. It also satisfies my need to produce something that inspires the viewer to interpret the work - the image is not simply handed to the observer. Van Gogh Alive in Christchurch inspired my sunflower series. His marks and colours overwhelming me. This piece started with sunflowers collected in Southland and drawing using a rubber pointer with ink on acrylic background then overlaying with touches of oil paint. It is about textures and mark making, expressing movement and emerging form.
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