Project Description
Liz Balkwill PS
Awaiting New Images
Artists Statement
I enjoy painting both still-life and the figure and have recently started painting horses during this lockdown (they have become my new figure/portrait subject). No matter what my subject, I endeavour to achieve a good drawing followed by capturing the way that light and shadow fall over a face or figure to convey form. With still-life, I like the way light can convey mood and can transform everyday objects from the mundane to the beautiful.
Method of working
This can depend on how I feel at the time. Sometimes I just want to get going with little preparation. At other times, I do a lot more planning and preparatory work. I might start with compositional studies/notions moving on to a detailed drawing. Sometimes, I do small poster studies to decide on the colour and value range to convey a mood. Although this sounds lengthy, it can ultimately save me a great deal of time on the finished piece.
Society Memberships
Pastel Society. Institute of East Anglian Artists.
Biographical Details
I graduated from Norwich School of Art in1980. I started working as a portrait painter 25 years ago working in both oil paint and pastels. The painting of still-life enabled me to move away from solely commissioned work and get gallery representation. I am well known locally as a tutor and demonstrator. I have always been keen to improve my skills and have attended many workshops during my career including Daniel Greene, Nelson Shanks, Robert Liberace and Sally Strand who have all been a great source of inspiration. I have also been fortunate to have taught and mentored by Gareth Hawker, a British Portrait painter.
Awards and Prizes
- The President’s Prize, Norfolk & Norwich Art Circle, 2009
- The SCS Prize for best small work, Armed Forces Art Society (AFAS), 2009
- St Cuthberts Mill Award, AFAS, 2010
- Highly commended SAA Artist of the Year, 2011
- Herring Easel Prize, ROI, 2013
- Unison Award, Pastel Society, 2013
- Society Prize for Painting, AFAS, 2013
- Pan Pastel Prize, Pastel Society 2015
- W & N award for non-member ROI 2016
- Buzzacott Award, Pastel society 2019
- Best in Show Award, Institute of East Anglian Artists, 2019.
Galleries and Exhibitions
Liz’s work is currently being exhibited in the following galleries:
Mandell’s Gallery, Norwich.
Adrian Hill Fine Art, Holt.
Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh.
Sarah Samuels Fine Paintings, Chester*
She is a regular contributor at the Mall Galleries with the ROI and the Pastel Society, and has shown with SWA and the Royal Society of Portrait Painter
Publications:
Liz has written and contributed to features in the Artist’s and Illustrators Magazine.
*We are delighted to be showing Liz’s beautiful work for the first time in Chester.