2 Woodland Ave
Earlsdon
Coventry
CV5 6DB
Tel : 02476 674694
“My work is an exploration and enjoyment of colour, using it boldly and positively, taking risks, pushing it in places into discords, exploiting the way in which we perceive colour. To this aim, instead of starting with a white canvas, I first of all lay down a substantial layer of random colour before beginning the painting, whether it is a portrait or an abstract. Quite often there is a deliberate use of complementary colours or discords in this first statement. This method gives me an exciting and challenging way of working. As each brushstroke is applied I get an immediate reaction as to the impact and suitability of that colour in relation to what surrounds it. For me it is a fluid creative process: I am continually aware of possible shifts of emphasis, changes in contrasts, unusual juxtapositions, and flashes of imaginative ideas as the concept develops. The painting is in a state of flux. It is impossible to predict the outcome. Each new piece of work, regardless of one’s previous experience, is a new adventure, an exciting departure.
Similarly my printmaking, mainly monoprints and collographs exploring textural quality, affords the same sense of excitement and discovery.
In adition, I do a considerable amount of figurative and portraiture and regularly accept commissions for portraits in pencil or in oils.”
TRAINING: School of Art, Reading University. Awarded a University Prize in Fine Art.
TEACHING: Part time tutor in the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Warwick University.
AWARDS: 2002 Selected for the Artists Access to Art Colleges national scheme hosted by Coventry University. 2000 First Prize (English Section) Salon International d’Art, Bourg-la-Reine, France. 2004, 1997,1991 Richard Gill Trophy C.W.S.A. 1996 Joe Mottler Award AMA 1994 Highly Commended Derby Open. 1984 Second Prize, Nottingham Open 1981, 1977 West Midlands Arts Awards.
RESIDENCIES & GALLERY WORKSHOPS: 2002/3 AA2A Residency at Coventry University. 1996, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. 1990-92 Invited to run five workshops at the Mead Gallery, Warwick University. Also initiated and ran a programme of Schools Workshops for several years at the Mead Gallery.
SELECTED RECENT SOLO EXHIBITIONS: 2005 Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham. 2004 Warwick University Library Gallery. 2003 Kidderminster Library Gallery. 2002 Barbican Centre, London. Rugby Art Gallery, Redditch Library Gallery. 2000 Workstation, Sheffield. Warks College, Leamington Spa. 1997 Parkfields Gallery, Ross-on-Wye. 1996 The Woods Gallery, Leicester. 1977-1982 Two touring exhibitrions shown at galleries all over the Midlands.
RECENT OPEN EXHIBITIONS: Dudley Open; Derby Open; ‘Face to Face’ Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford; Taunton Open Drawing; Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; The Hanover Galleries, Liverpool. Royal Academy, London; RBA Galleries, London.
JOINT EXHIBITIONS: Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry.
Works have been purchased for public collections by Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry; University of Warwick; Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham as well as held in numerous private collections in England and abroad.
Paintings this page Copyright © 2008 Nancy Upshall