Artist Statement
Even at the young age of three I spent a lot of my time drawing and really loved it. I always knew that I wanted to have a career in art. When I finished school I applied and got accepted at art college in Croydon, England. Somehow when I had finished my training the lure of travelling seemed to take over and before I knew it the last thing I ever did was paint. Some twenty five years later I started to take art classes again and immediately the world of art opened up to me with all the excitement of painting and drawing and the satisfaction of accomplishment and I really had to wonder why I had left it for so long. The incredible thing was that during those years when I no longer painted I must have still been mentally learning because when I finally did pick up a paint brush I had improved a thousand fold.
For the past five years I have really enjoyed teaching in all the three mediums of Watercolour, Acrylic and Oil. Many of my students have been with me since the beginning and it is very satisfying to see them grow and improve their painting skills. I really enjoy teaching and will go that extra mile to make sure that my students understand the techniques and theory of painting and to help them produce a painting that they can be very proud of. I have also ventured into some workshops, which have been lots of fun.
I try and paint every day even if only for a short while. I think everyone can always learn and get better so the more you practice the better you will get. Although I am a dedicated painter I really do enjoy every moment and would be totally lost if art were not in my life I love to paint, it creates an inner satisfaction and a certain calm that nothing else seems to give me. I prefer to paint in the solitude of my studio listening to classical music. I paint all subjects but seem to have a fondness for flowers
I feel so fortunate to have art back in my life again and to have met so many people within the art world. At the moment I am busy writing articles for various magazines but I have lots of ideas and aspirations for the new year and I am determined to go forward land enjoy every minute. Thank you to my family and friends and everyone who has helped me on this incredible journey.
For the past ten years I have enjoyed teaching in Watercolour, Acrylic and Oil. I really enjoy teaching and will go that extra mile to make sure that my students understand the techniques and theory of painting and to help them produce a painting that they can be very proud of.
Biography
Paula was born in Bromley, Kent, England and attended art school in Croydon, Surrey, focusing on life drawing and history of art. She has been passionate about art since early childhood and has carried that passion forward into her work and teaching today.
Watercolour is Paula’s favourite medium but she enjoys working in oils as well as acrylics. Her representational style captures the magic of the moment.
Paula instructs art at Swinton's Art in Calgary, Alberta. She also offers summer workshops for students in all three mediums for beginner and intermediate levels.
Paula won first place in the landscape category at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Art Show for 2006 and painted in the “Artists Window” at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede for 2007. In September of 2008 Paula was a finalist for the art competition “Still Life and Florals, the results being published in the International Artist Magazine for October 2008.
In October 2011, Paula’s painting “Thistle Down the Wind” was juried in to the 6th Annual Guild of Realism Show in Santa Fe, New Mexico where it sold to an overseas buyer.
In the June/July issue of International Artist Magazine, Paula had an eight page article published - “A Natural Approach to Realism”
A two part article was also written for the very popular British magazine Leisure Painter appearing in the September and October issues about using mixed media to paint a floral.
In October 2013 Paula’s painting “Ronnie Rooster” was juried in to the 8th annual Guild of Realism Show in Tempe, Arizona.
Paula’s paintings hang in private and corporate collections in Canada including Nabors Drilling, also the U.S.A. and overseas
For many years I have painted in watercolour in a traditional manner, using mainly transparent colours. In fact, my entire watercolour palette contained only three opaque colour: Naples yellow, cadmium yellow and cadmium red light. Making the transition from this to mixed-media approach came about by accident. I had been painting yellow hibiscus flowers in watercolour on a very dark background of alizarin crimson and phthalo green (which make a fantastic rich dark) when the dark paint ran into the wet yellow and I couldn't take it out. I'd spent a lot of time painting the foliage and didn't feel like throwing the painting away. So, I asked myself what would happen if I layered gesso on the flowers and started again?
