We are really excited to see that SBA Fellow Fiona Strickland’s fabulous exhibition at the Jonathan Cooper Gallery is also online! What a visual treat!Fiona says “I am often asked how long it takes to complete a painting. To create the quality and sought-after jewel like finish in these works; the answer is, ‘a long time’. Hours, days, weeks and months; sometimes just for one painting. Setting the pace is all important; it has to be steady and consistent, and progress is always slow. It may take several hours or days to realise just a few centimetres and it can’t be rushed; each minute stroke has to be applied with extreme accuracy and is especially difficult with intricate linear patterns. I apply the paint with a very small sable brush slowly building subtle shifts in tone and colour to describe their form. I use only the most transparent of watercolour and its consistency is crucial in order to retain the luminosity of this Kelmscott vellum. Its smooth surface is non-absorbent, it repels the paint; the brush must hold only a little fluid whilst at the same time allowing a smooth stroke. It takes such tenacity and it demands the utmost respect for the finest of artists materials. These arduous technical issues are further compounded by the complex visual nature of these tulips; it takes great patience; this is a labour of love.”The exhibition opens on September 2nd, but you can see the work on her website www.fionastrickland.co.uk and at www.jonathancooper.co.uk
