Angela Maxwell's Art

30″X36″ mixed media on canvas

These paintings from 2009 and 2010, were influenced by my move from living in a large, old house in the city (with a tiny oasis for a backyard)…to a small cottage by the river with expansive views. Inside my home is now small, but by contrast my outlook expanded ten-fold. Hence the title for this series of paintings: “a bolt from the blue – my river view”

The dreaded downsizing became for me instead an exciting journey of change, and a new beginning. During those endless days of sorting and pitching I was reminded of so many aspects of my life…and I can’t help but think this time of reflection influenced these paintings with a return to my love of collage. My early works (thirty years ago) in this medium were done on burlap stretched on masonite, and under glass for protection….they ended up being very heavy to transport and to hang! By contrast these new collages are on canvas with a self levelling gloss medium for protection…a wonderful development.

The small pieces ( https://angemaxart.wordpress.com/archive-sold-work/a-bolt-from-the-blue/new-art-festival-small/) were created for The New Art Festival, in part with young buyers in mind. I’m thrilled to see so many people in their twenties/thirties wanting to acquire original art.

I also created some new larger pieces for that outdoor exhibition (https://angemaxart.wordpress.com/archive-sold-work/a-bolt-from-the-blue/new-art-festival-large/); they too are influenced by my new surroundings. Anyone expecting a literal interpretation of my river view may be disappointed; however, the joy and curiosity I felt in my new environment was what I’d hoped to transmit onto canvas…using the device of windows looking in and looking out….enjoying new treasures at every glance. I also incorporate photos taken around my home and garden, applying paint,charcoal and crayon, enjoying as always that layering process – adding, subtracting, always trying to capture that magic in my imagination.

(To view these images full screen, click on them and scroll!)