PENNY LEACH

Colour, light, scale and movement are the foundational elements of my art. The process of unleashing these qualities requires getting to a certain “place” where every element is allowed to roam. This “place” eventually yields the magic which is essential to an inspiring painting.

Where did the courage to roam come from? I think most artists and inspiring artists face this challenge every day and perhaps over a lifetime. Courage for me has come from learning to be independent and not concerning myself with what others think. It also comes from travelling and living in other places and especially other countries. It also comes from the influence of Bernard Cathelin, the most famous French modernist as well a Bonnard and the impressionists. All of this gets played out in my mind’s eye.
 

I aim to be generous in my paintings. I aim to capture the languid and hopefully the subtle which can be challenging to grasp. I do not work from photographs. I’m not a plein air painter nor do I work with live models. Everything is internalized from the common daily experience. I begin a painting then it gets turned in my minds eye so that every painting comes from within. I want my works to subtly command your attention.