'THE LURE OF THE COAST'

I love meeting abstract artists, as I find the process and results of abstraction fascinating.  During Somerset Open Studios I took advantage of visiting the home and studio of Angela Charles in Crewkerne.

Above and below are samples of her work and there are some photos of her studio below.  The paintings are all in response to the landscape, light and sea on the coast from Dorset to Cornwall.  Angela describes it as 'the lure of the coast' and often takes spontaneous trips there in her camper van to gather material for her works.

Angela uses as a starting point, the pen sketches and written notes done at a location, giving a sense of place and the feelings of being there - although the resulting paintings often bear no resemblance to the original sketches.  She works on spray-primed aluminium or wooden boards, and builds up layers of acrylic paint.  Areas of frantic mark making contrast with smooth, calm sections, which give her work a sense of peace, as well as intensity.

The paintings reflect the landscape, with the wildness of the sea, and the dramatic coastline of the South West.  The more I look at them, the more I see and could easily live with one...