Debra Millward

oil, acetate, canvas on board
76cm x 61cm
Title: Ocean Maelstrom

Duality, the tension of the outer calm and inner turmoil, of the observed and hidden, and the boundaries between. The work creates a feeling of depth and forward momentum though layering of swirls, which in themselves evoke dangerous whirlpools, in contrast to the wave patterns of the surrounding calm, a dreamlike sense of floating relaxation. The work was developed with two canvases using acetate overlay, whilst an effective surface layer, detracted from the central work. The contemporary landscape painter April Gornik achieves a sense of tension in her work, and has said the viewer may feel a little “uncomfortable, but in a positive way”. I have been inspired by her use of a strong but limited palette of colours in her dramatic large-scale works, such as Water World, portraying billowing clouds above a dark smoothed ocean.
My practice is moving forward in a bolder direction, the plan is to develop more of the ideas that emerged in the planning stage of the project.

“ I’ve gained confidence in my artwork and as a result I’m developing a looser creative style with more energy. I now feel comfortable that others view my work, as artist Romero Britto says “art is too important not to share ”

STUDENT SHOWS

Debra Millward