ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
DEBORAH GILBERT
AN ABSTRACT ARTIST LED BY COLOUR , DEBORAH GILBERT ’ S BRIGHT , BOLD AND UTTERLY UNIQUE DEPICTIONS OF KENTISH SCENES ARE CERTAIN TO CAPTURE ANYONE ’ S ATTENTION AND DELIGHT LOVERS OF VIBRANCY , VIVIDNESS AND THE IMPRESSIONISTIC . DEBORAH IS CURRENTLY SHORTLISTED FOR THE RA SUMMER EXHIBITION 2023 AND WAS A FINALIST FOR THE BRITISH ART PRIZE 2022 .
Deborah , tell us a little about what led you to becoming an artist and how you would describe your art .
As a child I would choose a favourite colour and then collect pens and pencils in that colour and ‘ play artists ’. I studied art at A-Level and completed a foundation course in Art & Design , but then took a different route in order to earn a living . I have always worked in creative fields : BBC Television , commercial television and art education . While raising my daughter , I felt the time was right to get back to painting . The basis of my work is abstract , and I ' m led by colour . However , I want to show the location of where I live , so I place local prominent landmarks in the work .
Tell us about the techniques and processes you use .
I want to bring the expansive energy of the Margate sea and sky into my work – I paint expressively , by sweeping large , mixed swathes of acrylic paint . Since
2022 I have been concentrating on a series of seascapes called ‘ Hot Pink Crush ', where I am attempting to recreate the pink clouds Margate has at sunset . Clouds do not have colour ; they are a direct reflection of the water vapour they are created from . The pink comes as a result of the light being shone through it : the beautiful light from a Margate sunset . Using neon translucent acrylic paint , I build up light layers to produce a glaze that ' s thin enough to allow the colours beneath it to show through . Each new layer builds up the depth of the colour and modifies what it ' s being painted over .
Many of your pieces capture Kentish scenes and landmarks , what is it about Kent that you find so inspiring ?
The East Kent coastline is very expressive , and the mood is often weather-related . This makes the view across the sea ever changing , even minute by minute – I know I will never tire of it ! I get particularly inspired by the way the sky is reflected in the sea , bouncing light and colour into the atmosphere . The sunsets here are utterly amazing , sometimes the sky looks on fire , other times , the sea and sky meet in quiet blue symmetry .
Where can we see / purchase your art ?
I own and run an art gallery : DIG Gallery , 85a Canterbury Road , Margate . Here you can find my work .
Instagram is mainly where I share news of my latest work and exhibitions . Commissions are always welcome – I paint from small pieces up to 2.5 metres . I often exhibit in other galleries in Margate , Broadstairs , Westgate and Whitstable .
www . dig-gallery . co . uk diggallerymargate
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