Café Gallery
Bold, colourful, contemporary flowers on canvas with paint and mixed media, by local artist Elaine Graham.
Knebworth artist Elaine Graham specialised in textile design at Leeds College of Art, went on to a sparkling career in theatrical and television make-up, and says she brings aspects of her twin enthusiasms into her paintings.
“I naturally like to bring texture to the canvas,” she explains. “And instead of painting exclusively in one medium, I like to mix various mediums together and am always looking to create new textures.
“I like to pile paint thickly on to the canvas and create my paintings through a mixture of layers. I then begin a lengthy process of rubbing out and reapplying layers, creating textures as I go.
“ As a make-up artist, I like to bring an element of this into the paintings, sometimes through a hint of sparkle or gloss, like applying the final touches to a theatrical make-up.”
Elaine is inspired by both art and nature.
“I especially love the amazing colours of flowers and the unusual shapes they create,” she says. “I am also inspired by fashion, theatre, colourful foreign cultures, and old vintage objects and antiques.”
