BRITISH ARTIST CHARLOTTE ATKINSON 

CONTEMPORARY IMPRESSIONISM

The ethereal world of artist Charlotte Atkinson

 

(Short version ….)

​

‘My paintings are deeply connected to nature, they take time to evolve through a series of drawings and a multitude of hand-painted layers. The figures I paint embody the flora and fauna near my home and the ebb and flow of the seasons. I often make sketches from my kayak along the estuaries and rivers near my home, being at water level gives the chance to encounter wildlife close-up. These sketches become dreamscape paintings and recall the sounds and scents, my aim is for a totally immersive experience of being surrounded by nature.’

 

Longer version ….

 

Charlotte Atkinson’s paintings inhabit a magical space, these dreamscapes hint at an ethereal realm, offering the same wellness effect as time spent in nature. 

 

Combining her classical portrait training in Florence, Italy with her signature meditative style. Her work has been published internationally with sell-out exhibitions in London, New York, Dallas and Dubai to critical acclaim. Charlottes' original paintings and prints are held in public and private collections worldwide. It is no coincidence her paintings are often chosen by Yoga ,Reiki and therapy practitioners for healing retreats, and to bring calm to private consulting rooms such as in Harley Street in London. To look at her paintings is to see our innermost emotions, our hopes and dreams. A reflection of strength and optimism even in the darkest moments. Her subjects are universally relatable and seem to capture people’s emotions at a very primal level. Viewers express how moved they are seeing these paintings for the first time and the peace and connection they feel. 

 

‘Growing up in rural Devon I learnt from an early age that drawing always made me feel happy, I would sit for hours drawing with my Grandma who was a glass engraver. Whenever I paint now it instills that same feeling of home and calm in me. I studied Illustration at Derby University then escaped to Scotland to live in a remote arts commune - a beautiful time of living frugally and experimentation out in the wilds learning how to communicate through my images. 

Art has continued to be a trusted friend through good and difficult times. I found it particularly comforting to sketch when my son had long periods in Great Ormond Street Hospital. For so many families being in hospital for a long time with the added separation from natural light and nature is so hard, we were also grateful for the artwork there which brought us calm. 

 

I love to use a fresh earthy palette of grounding hues and natural motifs from my surroundings. Sketching the wild flowers on my walks inspires me to create larger works back in the studio. Working with mixed media reveals soft textures and creates form, by applying thin washes of acrylic paints to infuse the canvas with rich stains of colour. Oils, Inks and pastels add luminosity. In the final stages a quiet emerges where the finished image opens up to reveal it's own inner radiance. 

​

My aim is for my artwork to be a friend in need and connect people with nature, we are all interlinked after all.