insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 19 - September 2016 | Page 16

ART+ENTERTAINMENT

Angels in Formation

Harbinger of Autumn

ARTIST PROFILE:

Gill Bustamante
East Grinstead-based artist, Gill Bustamante, finds her inspiration in nature’s patterns and in the
energy and colours of the landscapes and animals that surround her. All of her paintings tell a
story and she believes that anyone can be an artist, they just need to find their art form first.

How would you describe your art?
I paint landscapes and seascapes on large canvases in oils, which is
my favourite medium. My painting style is a fusion of expressionist,
impressionist, semi-abstract, art deco, a little art nouveau and whatever
mood I am in that day. I often practice a kind of impressionism in that I
walk, look at things, and then paint from memory; the result is that I then
paint what was impressed upon me when I looked at that landscape. I
like to present new spaces and possibilities, and I regard myself as a ‘fine
artist’. I am striving to create images that are beautiful and uplifting and
that will give people a temporary escape to look at.

What is your favourite piece?
My favourite painting is usually the last one I’ve finished. I don’t really
look back much on former paintings as I am too busy looking forward to
the next one, but I am fond of one called Harbinger of Autumn, though. I
love the colours and the shimmering effect, and the way the stag stands
waiting in the foreground; I really do believe that one day I will find a
magical place like this.
What has been your proudest artistic achievement to date?
Selling my first big artwork at an exhibition in Chelsea; the moment I
saw my painting with a red ‘sold’ dot on it was wonderful. I am also very
proud of the lovely art students that I have tutored over the last 16 years.
Three of them now teach their own art courses and some have exhibited
and sold their work at exhibitions I have helped organise. The world
would be a considerably saner place if everyone could find an art form.

What is your background?
As a child, I taught myself to draw and paint by copying animals and horses
out of books on an almost daily basis. Then in 1979, I did a found