‘For a while I have been a bit obsessed with painting snowy landscapes, but I’ve never really been sure why. I am drawn to the cosiness of log cabins, deep dark lakes, mountains and fir trees. I find snow beautiful, and of course the northern lights are like magic. I painted this painting at the start of 2012, prior to a forthcoming trip to Finland, from my imagination.To be honest, I’ve never been sure if I finished this painting, but I quite like the way it feels quite fresh and not over worked. It hangs in my front room.’

See more of Lucy’s painitings here

I don’t think about my face because i live behind it’ was painted as part of a series of works called ‘The How and Why Library’. This series of paintings was created from appropriations of images found in Childcraft books of the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. Childcraft was created as an encyclopedia, of sorts, for young children. With simple texts and illustrations, the volumes were designed to make learning amusing and engaging. Each volume addressed different subjects, including literature, mathematics and the sciences.

This series began with the move, and loss, of McCaughey’s childhood home. This finality inevitably led to cataloging  preserving belongings, and filing the associated memories. The Childcraft books, a once steadfast presence on the living room bookcase, were unearthed once more. McCaughey recalls spending hours soaking in the pages filled with images and diagrams. Returning to these books years later, the clarity and freshness of the images in her mind led McCaughey to consider the printed image, it’s ability to encapsulate the past, allow the viewer to visit it, in the present. This particular painting was sourced from a paragraph explaining to children the idea of how we see ourselves differently from how others see us.

See more of Eleanor’s paintings here

Rachel Hannyngton Floating oil on canvas, 2009

We put together a little collection of paintings which explore the different ways artists have depicted water, creating images that make the water look inviting, refreshing and engulfing. Continue reading “The Art Circus Looks at – The Water” →