maggyoehlbeck
about
My Art: “ As a writer and former actor, I have a keenly-developed sense of observation. This is part intuitive, part learned. It is the fundamental basis of my painting.
Whether in Portrait Painting, Contemporary Landscape or Abstract Expressionism,
I seek to capture the essence of the subject – to reveal a hidden truth - or in the instance of portraits, to reveal the character of the person behind the portrait.“I am intrigued with capturing atmosphere – whether it is spiritual, geographic (climatic) or the human condition. I tend to favour the gestural and textural when the subject dictates. I might use large brushes – to capture the rhythm and contour of a human form or landscape. Alternatively, when deeply-influenced by mood and mystery, I may build my surfaces through multiple layers of glazes to enhance ‘the story’.
My Work Methods: “I carry two notebooks. One for recording notes for articles I am writing for a newspaper or magazine, and a visual diary for sketching. My sketches may be gouache, graphite or watercolour, depending on the situation.
Those I think ‘have legs’ I work up into larger sketches combining components to make a satisfying composition.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Pablo Picasso
For portrait sittings, I do a series of acrylic or watercolour sketches, take photographs, and bed down the painting directly in blocks of darks, lights, colour, and maybe some line. I then proceed to further or final sittings with the subject. I tend to paint my portraits in oils, and my landscapes and abstracts in acrylic or mixed media”.
“My office is frequently the Manly ferry. It provides me with quality thinking time. Can’t stay away from ships and the sea. I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively in my career as a writer and magazine editor. I have experienced many privileged places on the planet and had amazing access to many of the great art museums of the world both large and small, public and private. But I have also had unique exposure to some of the world’s most precious wild places. The contrast between highly-sophisticated cultures and the plea for help from threatened environments fuel the inspiration for my work”.