Mixed Media by Lisa Parkyn
Valley of Belonging
Lisa Parkyn
Devon is a far cry from the wilds of my African childhood; I spent my early life in the Kalahari semi-desert, Botswana. My grandmother painted the sparse expanses of the Namib dunes and my mother still paints in the arid Botswana. Perhaps it was inevitable that wherever I settled I would be drawn to the untamed landscapes surrounding me – the Jurassic coastline with crumbling cliffs, the vastness of Dartmoor and the exquisite Devon countryside. I am inspired by the textures, changing tones and light of the seasons and colours of the landscape and sea.
I went on to have a career in graphic design in South Africa and London. My studies in graphic design, psychotherapy and world travels all influences my art as well.I settled in Devon thirteen years ago with my wonderful husband, two inspiring children and three funny cats. I now pursue my career as an artist full-time from my home studio in Ottery St Mary.
My approach starts intuitively – layers and textures are built up using a variety of water-based mediums including acrylic, ink, charcoal, pastels, collage, and graphite. I subtract through drawing, scraping, washing, and sanding back into the layers which creates a rich surface history.
I collect interesting objects which I keep in my studio for inspiration and mark-making including tide-line objects, dried seedheads, seaweed, flowers and fossils.
During the pandemic, my art practise became more process-driven and abstract where fragments of nature and everyday life were reworked through the creative process. My passion for exploration, experimentation and play allows my artistic voice to evolve and keeps me enthralled.
Inspired by the wonderful Devon landscape surrounding my home studio. This piece encapsulates the joys of summer for me – an uplifting, playful piece. Part of the ‘Delving Beneath Series’ – this painting was created near the end of the first 2020 lockdown. I used various methods of layering acrylic and pieced together fragments through mixed media, transfers and then worked back into the surface through drawing, scraping and sanding.
I have also tapped into my love for the unique textures that occur in nature, on weathered walls, old billboards and rusting metal.
The painting is signed on the front and the surface is protected with UV safe varnish.Mixed Media | Acrylic, Collage, Pastels and Transfers on Wood Panel.
44.5x44.5cm
Image Size 30.5x30.5cm
Presented in an Off White Frame