Simon Pell’s 2020 vision – lockdown paintings

19 May 2021 - 12 Jun 2021

Simon’s primary obsession in the (Teesdale inspired) semi-abstract landscape paintings that he creates is the expressive (non-naturalistic) use, and visual power, of colour.

His paintings are based on snapped-photos when walking and adventuring on Teesdale’s glorious hills and fells (which is a landscape he has lived in and explored for over 30 years – a landscape which never ceases to delight and challenge him, physically and artistically).

At home, in his studio in Barnard Castle, he processes these photographs using Microsoft Paintshop to compose the picture and experiment with colour.

He begins every painting by gridding-up and drawing (with a glue gun) the design on to the canvas. He then builds up layers of acrylic paint with brush and palette knife; whilst also employing spatter, splash, dribble, glazes and dry-brush techniques.

The final act is to peel off the glue, which exposes raw canvas underneath and the lines are then painted in to complete the work.”

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