Caroline Shotton Handsigned and Numbered Limited Edition Canvas on board:"Laughing Cowvalier"Item #: WG-CSGC38Artist: Caroline Shotton Title: Laughing Cowvalier Size: 24" x 24" Edition Size: Artist Hand Signed and Numbered Limited Edition to 195 Medium: Canvas on board About the Artist: HISTORY & BACKGROUND I have been painting for as long as I can remember. I lived on the outskirts of London which meant I benefited from being within easy reach of London Galleries and open countryside, both of which were a source of immense inspiration to me. As an only child I had the freedom to immerse myself in my work, I also received a great deal of encouragement and guidance from my Grandmother who raised me for which I am eternally grateful. Early influences came from the old masters. I was fascinated by their realism and throughout my school years strived perfection. When studying at Central Saint Martins my eyes were opened to new ideas and techniques. I was captivated both by surrealism and impressionism and much of my work now combines elements from these eras. After college I worked as a freelance artist in the commercial sector, undertaking bespoke commissions from businesses throughout the country, from large abstracts to intricate murals. I enjoyed this as every project was different and I was often asked to produce styles and subject matter I would never have dreamt of had I been alone in my studio. When my son was born I decided to concentrate on my gallery career. It has been lovely painting without a strict brief and my work has developed immeasurably, incorporating different aspects from my past commissions with the freedom to choose my own direction. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF We’re normally woken up around 6am by our son, Sam and after breakfast I normally do the household chores before taking him to nursery so I have no distractions during the day. I love working from home and even though the washing machine’s often whirring away in the corner of my studio, I don’t envy my husband’s daily commute. I try to exercise every day and I’ll either go for a run or take the dog for a long walk. I find it really exhilarating and I can gather my thoughts before starting work around 9.30. I usually collate my reference material and prepare my canvasses the night before a studio day, applying texture, working out rough compositions and applying block colour. This means they are dry the following morning and I know I have the whole day ahead to work on the intricate areas. I was a choral scholar at college and classical music has always been of great inspiration to my work and to this day I can’t paint without it. I often lose track of time when painting only to prompted back to reality when it’s time to change a CD or make another cup of tea as the last one’s been forgotten and left to go cold. I stop painting around 5 to pick Sam up and after he’s gone to bed I often go back in the studio and review my paintings with fresh eyes and prepare my canvasses for the next day. I look forward to my husband coming home to see my work as he’s (usually) a good critic. I have to discipline myself not to go back the studio after dinner otherwise I would probably paint all night. I’m normally tempted out when I hear him opening a bottle of wine though. |
