possibilities requires real bravery," she observes. "This is when energy flows and we positively sparkle." STRUCTURE AND INSTINCT Strongly influenced by Jackson Pollock's working methods, creating a new piece is an intricate process that fuses structure, instinct, patience and high energy. "The process is very organic and it’s hard to say where the work is heading because the paintings lead
F or London-based Carly Ashdown, sketching has been part of her life from a very young age, however it wasn't until she turned 30 that she began painting. Before becoming a full time artist, she spent five years doing post-production work in television, includ- ing for the BBC and Channel 4. "I was happy in my job and my career was flourishing," she says "but I had such a powerful sense of wanting to paint that I decided to leave the television industry and followmy heart." Although Carly had never stopped sketching, painting was a newmedium for her. "I did an art and design degree at what was then Leeds Metropolitan University but my focus was film and photography, so when I started painting almost 10 years later it was all quite new to me. I’m pretty much self taught and I’m still learning." ACELEBRATIONOF LIFE Working in acrylic on canvas, her spirited figures are an exploration of the human experience and the indefinable sense of feeling alive. Self-understanding, interaction with the world and particu- larly personal transformation have long fascinated and inspired Carly. "Opening the heart, connecting to whom we really are, letting go and being open to
“I PAINT VERY INSTINCTIVELY AND I KNOW IN THE FIRST 10 TO 20 MINUTES IF I’M CREATING SOMETHING WITH MAGIC IN IT.”
me. When I take a break and return to the piece the next day or a few hours later, new paths and doorways often
open and I see where to head next." Carly starts with sketches of figures, which develop and evolve as she fine-tunes and changes elements to create more
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dynamic poses and bring them to life. She then paints a charcoal outline washed over with water on the canvas and begins dripping acrylic paint down it. "I paint very instinctively and I know in the first 10 to 20 minutes if I’m creating something with magic in it." Working with a small brush, she applies detailed shading to help the figure 'pop out'. She follows by dripping more paint then flicking it at the canvas to create the sense of vivid movement and exact look that she wants. Flicking is normally done using forefinger and thumb but Carly will use anything to get the right look - even the flat end of paint tubes. When pieces are nearing completion, she paints in the white background and drips more paint onto the figure to further break it up. Once the canvas is dry, she might flick more paint and add final bits of shading. "My aim is to create beautiful pieces that are expressive, dynamic and vibrant," she says. "Paintings that are a celebration of the human form, the beauty of movement and freedom frompersonal limitations - and most importantly, a celebration of life itself."
ImageSize38”x48” £950
AUTUMN2015 FIN e ARTC o LL e CT o R 31
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