I was brought up on the beautiful south coast of Wales, where the sublime sense of freedom felt when by the sea has inspired me almost to point of obsession. My work is a continuous attempt to capture and communicate this feeling, and preserve it for others to see and feel. The need to preserve it stems from a recent realization of the diminishing state of the British coastline. An environment that is constantly scarred by human condition, to a point beyond repair. I have begun to highlight these concerns by incorporating objects found on the shore into the scene or mixed into the paint. This adds another dimension to the painting but also gives the piece a temporality that is reflective of the subject.

I take on a very direct, physical approach to painting. I often use my hands instead of brushes and move freely around the canvas. My paintings are always done spontaneously; I guide and encourage the paints to interact with each other naturally. They often have sculptural quality with the addition of found objects, or natural materials mixed in with the paint; or painting on a prepared ground of plaster. These textual, sculptural paintings are reminiscent of the work of Anslem Kiefer, with the spontaneity and physicality of Jackson Pollock. I combine this with my own experience and personality to produce a unique result.

email - rhiannon_archard@hotmail.com