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"Traditional subjects treated in a non-traditional way"

Bursting with colour and texture, the work of Kinoulton-based artist Nicola Pennill cannot fail to draw you in, with its atmospheric, mesmeric quality. Focusing mainly on the dramatic landscapes of the British Isles, Nicola aims to find a unique way of representing her subject, and each work features an innovative use of materials to create texture, which for Nicola is a very important component.

“I use a lot of texture and colour and although I use traditional subjects, I try to treat them in a non-traditional way. It’s recognisable – not abstract – but representational,” describes Nicola. “I try to find ways of not being too detailed, such as smudging the paint in the foreground. When I think of paintings I enjoy looking at, I like having to do a bit of work.”

Nicola sometimes paints ‘plein air,’ but more often, she will sketch at the scene and then refer to these sketches when she is back in her studio at home. She also utilises images taken by her husband, Andrew, who is a keen photographer. Says Nicola, “I take ideas from photographs and use them for positioning, but I quite often change elements and interpret it in my own way.”

Nicola’s works feature watercolours, acrylics and collage – using materials such as tissue paper, newspaper, modelling paste and glitter. Her favoured medium is watercolour, as she enjoys its spontaneity, and likes to allow it to dictate or suggest form. “I quite often mix up different media in one painting. I find more exciting – it’s the texture thing. If it’s just one medium, it can be quite flat. By introducing other media it keeps quite lively.”

Most of the time Nicola paints on mountboard which she has previously treated with primer so the brushstrokes come through, adding to the all-important texture.

Nicola has a passion for landscapes – coastlines in particular – with Northumberland, Suffolk and Scotland featuring heavily in her impressive portfolio. “I tend to paint places I’ve been to and know well. If you’re inspired to paint something, it’s because its moved you in some way, and brought about a response – I try and recreate that.

Nicola, who is a keen horse-rider, is also an enthusiastic equestrian artist – a subject since which she has enjoyed since childhood. “I started off painting ponies and people’s pets. I used to paint a lot as a child, along with my sister who is now a professional artist and illustrator,” she recalls. “I particularly like ponies – they’ve got such interesting characters, and it’s so nice to capture them.” Having recently joined the Society of Equestrian Artists, Nicola had her talents recognised when she was runner-up in an art competition run by Equestrian Life magazine late last year.

Although she started painting at an early age, art took a back seat in Nicola’s life until about five years ago when she gave up her international business career to become a saxophone teacher. “I’d always played the saxophone, and decided to have a complete change of career. Being at home more, I have more time to paint. As my music has developed so has my painting. I’ve become more creative in the past five years.”

According to Nicola, joining the Kirby Bellars group of artists in 2005 has also had a positive impact on her art. “It’s great, because we go and paint together, and I feel my painting has developed as a result of this. David Weston, the group’s founder, has really encouraged me and has been quite an influence.” The group has an annual exhibition, which provides members with the opportunity to show their work to the wider public. Prizes are also given out, and Nicola has received a prize on both occasions she has exhibited. The group’s 2008 exhibition will take place between May 3 and 5 2008.

To see more of Nicola’s work, visit her website at www.nicolapennillartist.co.uk.