Description
Stratford Upon Avon – Original Art
Acrylic on canvas, 59.4cm x 84.1cm x 3cm
A sunny summer’s day on the river in Stratford-upon-Avon, with all the activity that makes this such a lively and much-loved part of the town. I’ve tried to capture as much of it as possible – the Shakespeare theatre and church providing the backdrop, while people are out walking, boating, rowing, canoeing and paddling, with the big wheel adding to the sense of a day out.
Look a little closer and you’ll see all the different ways people enjoy the river. Families, visitors, locals, boats coming and going — each with their own reason for being here and their own memories of Stratford. It’s these everyday moments that bring a place to life, and I wanted this painting to feel like a snapshot of a really good summer’s day by the river.
Mixed Media Technique
My artwork combines painting and mixed media techniques, using layers of hand-applied tissue paper to create depth, texture, and luminous colour. The tissue paper allows me to build rich, vibrant surfaces that capture the energy, light, and atmosphere of a place in a way that paint alone cannot achieve.
Rather than creating a flat representation of a scene, I layer colour, texture, and detail to evoke the feeling of being there. The resulting artwork has a unique intensity and vibrancy, inviting viewers to discover new details and stories each time they look.
The ‘Places of Joy’ series.
The Places of Joy series is inspired by the places that make us feel most alive. Places filled with colour, connection, beauty, and memory. From iconic destinations to hidden local treasures, each artwork captures the essence of a joyful moment in time.
My aim is not to replicate a scene, but to recreate the feeling of being there. I enhance the colour, light, and atmosphere, creating vibrant interpretations that celebrate the spirit of a place and the stories we attach to it.
As part of the series, I collect and share stories connected to each location. Some are my own; others come from people who know and love the place. A favourite family tradition, a chance meeting, a childhood memory, or a moment that changed someone’s day. Together, these stories reveal the deeper character of a place and the connections that make it meaningful.
These are places worth remembering, moments worth savouring, and experiences that make life worth painting.