http://www.Facebook.com/Kay-Ashton-Fine-Art
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I have had no formal art training and am mostly self taught. I have always had a flair for drawing but never really took it up until 2010, when I enrolled in watercolour leisure classes which I enjoyed but was never very happy with what I was producing. My watercolour tutor suggested I try oils, which I did in 2012, where I joined another leisure class for that purpose. I knew instantly that this was the medium for me and I have never looked back. I also enjoy pastel painting, too.
When I began posting my paintings on social media, friends and family were asking to buy my artwork, and it grew from there. First came the Twitter page, then Facebook and Instagram pages then I set up my own website. I am still very active on social media, especially on the art forums where artists of all levels discuss, help and encourage each other. I also interact as much as possible with my followers and those that I follow.
April 2013 - “Lemons & Limes” oil on canvas was chosen by http://www.painters-online.co.uk (“The Artist” and “Leisure Painter” magazine’s website as one of their “Paintings Of The Month”.
October 2014 - At a local art exhibition set up to raise money for our local hospice, “Elodie African Lady” was voted favourite in-house painting. My other painting, “Cute Baby Cougar” came second.
July 2015 - “Ena Harkness” oil painting won the SAA Artist Of The Year (Flowers and Gardens) category.
August 2015 - “Sangria Whatever The Weather” was shortlisted in the Ken Bromley Art Competition.
October 2015 - “Hot Toddy” although was not shortlisted, this oil painting was selected as one of the favourites by Artist & Illustrator Magazine’s editor to appear in their magazine gallery.
October 2015 - approached by a fund raiser for Help For Heroes’ Heroes Art; a charity ball that is held annually to help raise funds. They use art as therapy for our veterans. “Elodie African Lady” and “Pink Winter Rose” were both auctioned and help raise over £450.00.
Although I am not gallery represented, my work is currently in private collections from Australia to Africa and Penrith to Dorset and London.
As an amateur turned professional in a short space of time, I am still evolving as an artist and alongside my detailed still life paintings and private commissions, I am doing a series of small alla prima “daily paintings” which I have found very challenging as I only give myself one hour in which to complete the painting. All this is do from home and around my family.
Influences and favourite artists: Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Rembrandt and contemporary artists such as Jeff Rowland, Leonid Afremov, Nobu Haihara, Roy Meats and Mike Skidmore. |
