Maggie Matthews

WILD SONG MAGGIE MATTHEWS

I seek out the wild and scenic landscapes of Cornwall in order to walk and paint. My steps quickly fall into a rhythm as the path weaves its way in and out of coves, crossing small rivers, climbing steep headlands.
I can while away the hours recording the plant life, noticing the subtle changes in the turning of the seasons.
A gentle joyfulness and natural curiosity keeps me moving forward.

Working outdoors in a small sketchbook encourages me to react instinctively to the landscape, weather and light. A carpet of sea pinks contrasted against a sparkling blue sea is quickly recorded. The yellow gorse overpowers our sight and smell, and oxide orange lichen shines out from a grey granite background. All these colours find their way onto my canvases.
Returning to the calm of the studio I spend many hours engaged in a process of simplification, a honing down to the essential aspects of line and evocative colour.