ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
SUE BRADLEY
HAVING BEEN FASCINATED BY SCIENCE AND THE NATURAL WORLD FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER , SUE BRADLEY BEGAN REPRESENTING THIS INTRIGUE THROUGH HER ART WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER . SINCE THEN SHE HAS DEVELOPED HER UNIQUE STYLE AND APPROACH , TODAY CREATING BEAUTIFUL , FLUID PIECES THAT INSPIRE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY . USING MOSTLY WATERCOLOUR , SUE EXPLORES A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT THEMES , INCLUDING TRADITIONAL SCENES , ANIMALS AND HER MUCH-ADMIRED DANCERS .
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you would describe your artwork .
I have painted for as long as I can remember , originally with poster colours , then oil paints . These days I am mainly a watercolour and mixed media painter . My work varies from the softer , tranquil pastel tones of my fantasy illustrations through representations of the ever-changing nature of the natural world , to my endeavours to convey the vibrant , passionate movement of flamenco dancers .
Tell us a little about the process of creating your work and the techniques you use .
From cascading wet washes to dry brush effects , there are many different watercolour techniques . Certain colours do unexpected things when dropped into others , and unpredictable things happen on dry and wet surfaces that you just can ’ t explain . The boundaries of watercolour can be pushed . I am not a watercolour ‘ purist ’, and after 16 years as a scientist , I still want to experiment as much as I can with technique . This has resulted in my interest in combining watercolour with other media such as acrylic ink , oil pastel and charcoal together with the exploration of texture and mark-making in my search for new discoveries . For me , I don ’ t just see it as art and science , it ’ s magic !
Animals and the natural world seem to feature a lot in your art , why do you think they inspire you so much ?
The natural world has always been a major interest . I graduated from college with a degree in biology , which included zoology and botany , since which my interest and fascination with the natural world and animals has never waned . I think that my academic background together with my love of travel and exploring other countries and their landscapes has been absorbed into my creative processes . Travel provides so much inspiration ; whether it ’ s from the local environment , atmosphere , people , flora and fauna or traditional arts and crafts .
Where can we see and purchase your art ?
I can be contacted via my website at www . suebradleyart . co . uk where you can browse my work and see details of my classes , workshops and holidays . You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram as Sue Bradley Artist / @ sue _ bradley _ art .
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