MARGARET MCGREGOR BETTS PAINTER/PRINTMAKER
As an artist, living and working in East Sussex, I gain inspiration from the countryside and my natural surroundings. Being a studio member at The Open Studios and B5 Intaglio Printmaking Brighton gave me confidence when working with other artists and the chance to meet many people to talk about the development of my work. Each piece of my work has its own special significance for me so I would like to share them with you in the following pages.
A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO THE ELEMENTS OF NATURE
A walk in the forest, following the path of a stream, pausing for reflection by a lakeside; all are places of joy, solace and spiritual growth. Away from the ordinariness of the daily survival routine there is a need to replenish our inner-selves and a connection with nature's elements is a beautiful way to achieve this. As an artist I have endeavoured to communicate my experiences through visual forms.
From the visual images I have found through engaging with the places that have natural magic, I have made paintings, prints and photographs that reflect my emotional response to the beauty of nature. Using mainly watercolour as a painting medium has given a translucency to my paintings which, in turn, encourages the observer to explore with their own imagination.
Moving from the representational form towards abstraction has allowed a more intense emotional image to be made in which the viewer can find their own personal response. The forms, colours and textures encourage the imagination to explore visually with feeling. I feel there is another dimension to this painting in that the viewer can feel the warmth of the summer sun through the foliage on their face as they look up.
SUMMER FOREST LIGHT - WAKEHURST PLACE , SUSSEX 2012
Moving from the representational form towards abstraction has allowed a more intense emotional image to be made in which the viewer can find their own personal response. The forms, colours and textures encourage the imagination to explore visually with feeling. I feel there is another dimension to this painting in that the viewer can feel the warmth of the summer sun through the foliage on their face as they look up.
SUMMER FOREST LIGHT - WAKEHURST PLACE , SUSSEX 2012
Making prints from collagraph plates and using an etching press has given a different dimension to this visual representation of natural forms. The use of a variety of collage materials gives a wide range of wonderful textures to the visual image. Inking up the plate with a complementary palette allows the blending of colour which again encourages a sensual response. In this picture the use of both opaque and transparent colour highlights the flow of undersea currents and invites the imagination to explore the depths. Put your hand in and feel the warm sea swirling around.
CORNISH ROCKPOOL
COLLAGRAPH PRINT LOOE BAY 2012
CORNISH BEACHSCAPE
LOOE BAY 2012 - ETCHING
Using acrylic resist as a non-toxic method of etching has been a revelation in that I can now produce these evocative and detailed plates in a safe environment. Working on a metal plate allows the use of fine lines and textures and this has taken my work on the response the natural world to a new level. Here the use of line shows the strata of granite rock on this Cornish Beach and the method of building up layers of aquatint indicates the levels of life within the pool. Many of us have stared at the variety of life within the pools left by the tide and this was a chance to explore this one late October afternoon.
LOOE BAY 2012 - ETCHING
Using acrylic resist as a non-toxic method of etching has been a revelation in that I can now produce these evocative and detailed plates in a safe environment. Working on a metal plate allows the use of fine lines and textures and this has taken my work on the response the natural world to a new level. Here the use of line shows the strata of granite rock on this Cornish Beach and the method of building up layers of aquatint indicates the levels of life within the pool. Many of us have stared at the variety of life within the pools left by the tide and this was a chance to explore this one late October afternoon.