Lou Smith is an abstract painter whose paintings are large scale surfaces, saturated with colour and infused with light. Layers of colour gently resonate within these paintings as surfaces collide and mingle…
Unleashing Energy: Artist Statement for Lou Smith
“My art is a physical conversation. It’s a dance between me, the canvas, and the energy that flows through both. Through bold mark-making, I explore the vibrant language of color, texture, and negative space. Each mark is a gesture, a release of energy that captures a moment in time.
The scale of my work reflects the vastness of inspiration I find in the world. From the dynamic movements of qigong, an ancient Chinese practice, to the ever-changing light and textures of nature, my surroundings spark a continuous dialogue that translates onto the canvas.
Experimentation is the fuel that ignites my creative fire. I embrace the unexpected, allowing the process to guide me as much as I guide it. Every brushstroke, every layer, unveils new possibilities, pushing the boundaries of form and expression.
My paintings are not simply visual experiences; they are invitations. Invitations to delve into the depths of color, to feel the rhythm of the marks, and to discover the hidden energy that pulsates within.
Lousmith.uk is a portal into this world. A world where the abstract becomes a bridge, connecting the energy within to the energy that surrounds us.
This is not just artifice; it’s an exploration of the dynamic interplay between movement, matter, and the essence of being.“
Lou Smith, Abstract Painter
Lou Smith’s paintings are large scale dynamic abstract colour paintings. Lou walks into the centre of the canvas to create marks in response to colour, surface, texture and emotional resonance. The paintings transcend everyday reality as Lou uses mark making as a fundamental aspect of abstract painting, contributing to the overall expression, texture, and visual language of a work of art. She involves the intentional application of various marks, strokes, lines, and gestures to create a unique and personal visual vocabulary.
When painting Lou Smith considers the following;
- Gesture and Movement:
- As a qigong practioner Lou Smith uses her entire body to make marks, not just her hand and wrist. Allowing movements to be expressive and dynamic.
- Experimenting with different gestures, from bold and sweeping strokes to delicate and intricate ones.
- Layering and Texture:
- Her abstract paintings contain layers of marks to create depth and complexity in her paintings.
- She experiments with different textures by using differing opacity of paint, adding mediums, or incorporating collage elements.
- Spontaneity and Intuition:
- Lou Smith embraces spontaneity and lets her understanding of form and colour guide her mark-making process.
- She is able to make unplanned marks and respond to the evolving composition.
- Contrast and Variety:
- Lou creates visual interest by incorporating a variety of marks.
- She introduces contrast in color, value, and intensity to enhance the impact of her marks.
- Negative Space:
- Lou pays attention to the spaces between her painterly marks. Negative space adds dynamic to the painting
- Using at times the interplay of positive and negative space to shape the overall composition.
- Experimentation:
- Lou Smith, abstract painter, is open to experimenting with different mark-making techniques.
- Lou has no fear of making mistakes, as they lead to unexpected and interesting results which form a series of works
- Color Harmony:
- Lou Smith considesr the color palette and how it influences the mood of her abstract paintings. Using color to enhance the impact of her marks and emotional resonance within the painting.
- Personal Expression:
- Lou Smith allows her personality and emotions to come through in her paintings. Her unique style and voice are integral to her language of marks.