Landscapes with increasing abstraction - Petworth exhibition

Scottish-based artist Sarah Dawnay is delighted to be exhibiting in new territory with a new show in Petworth.

Running until October 10, the show is at Kevis House Gallery.

Taught and mentored by Robin Child, Arthur Neal and Eleanor White, Sarah cites artists such as Diebenkorn and de Staal among her influences.

She paints in oil and acrylic, taking inspiration from the power of the landscape, the sea, and changing weather. A range of work by other gallery artists will remain on show throughout the building.

Sarah said: “I have known the gallery in Petworth for some time after just walking in. I walked in last year and talked about my work and then brought some pictures down from Scotland and they very kindly offered me an exhibition.”

As she says, the gallery just felt right: “The artists that they had on show just resonated with me. You just instinctively know.

“I paint in oil mostly. I used to do acrylic but now mostly oil and my work is getting more abstract. I started with watercolour 20 years ago and then acrylic but it has changed. I think abstract interests me more. Rather than making a bad copy of what is outside I tend to start with the landscape and then work in the studio.

“Once you start painting it's very difficult to describe but the colours have stopped being so representational as well. They are rather bright. I used to paint quite dark and dull colours. I can't really explain why that has changed but I think it is what is going on in your head. A lot of my work involves memories and scenes. I spend a lot of time in the Hebrides and the sea is often in the work in the distance. Sometimes I do still life but most of the time it is semi-abstract.

“I have lived in Scotland for 35 years. My childhood was in Scotland and then I went back. It was my husband's job. But walking on the hills and being outside and opening the curtains every day on this changing landscape is just wonderful. I live in the country outside Edinburgh.”

She has been working as an artist ten years professionally: “I started off with a medical background and I've done lots of other things. I used to do book jackets. And then art took over because of less domesticity and less time with the family.

“My mother had been at art school and stopped painting in her early 20s. She lived to 99 and I want to be able to paint when I'm older. You're still learning. You are always learning. That's the exciting thing.”