Exquisite Arts Magazine Vol 7: Fall Issue- Oct/2017 | Page 45

than not, the canvas/painting surprises me with
unpredictable responses.
What type of paints or materials do you prefer to
work with and why?
For the last year, I have been using exclusively acrylics
(before, it was watercolours). I like the acrylics for its
speedy drying. It suits my type of character and favours
a vivid conversation/interaction with the canvas. I have
found too that acrylic paper is a very convenient support
to use. It is cheap, easy to handle and takes little space
when storing away. The textural surface of the paper also
varies from the different manufacturers.
That would be my partner Maria, who I’ve lived with
for the last four years. She is a professional painter
for forty years. I mentioned earlier that my genes and
theoretical approach have given me a chance to kick-
start as a painter. But of course, without Maria’s
inspiration and good guidance, I would have had an
uphill struggle in pursuing my new course in life.
Is there anything else that you’d like to share with
our audience?
I take painting seriously without being constrained
by economical necessities, or in need of
achievements to lengthen my CV. Success and
recognition are of course rewarding; but the driving
force in my painting is the pleasure to paint and the
desire to master the art.
MALCOLM-MCEWEN.SE
You are excellent at combining the use of tones,
colours, lines and shapes to create a unique piece of
art. Can you tell us more about your artistic style and
how these elements play an important role in creating
your pieces?
I pursue a spontaneous approach to painting; and I like
trying different techniques. I tend to use colours in a
vivid way. Of late, I am using quite often a dough spatula
(without the handle) to make marks instead of using
brushes. Very interesting effects and shapes can be
obtained.
I mostly paint abstract or abstractions, which is
facilitated by the interactive conversation with my
canvas together with the use of acrylics and vivid
colours. Sometimes, a painting that started as an abstract
ends up in a surprising way representing something.
Inspirational role models come in many forms. They
could be artists from the renaissance period, while
others may simply exist in our daily lives. If you could
pay homage to a woman in history or within your
personal life, who would it be and why?
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