After the lockdown, with so much uncertainty and often staring at the same four walls, I thought it was the perfect time to release these four Square Panoramas which exude summer in the city/by the sea. These oil paintings are currently on display at Park Gallery.
Florence Aerial View
Oil on deep edge canvas (100 x 100cm)
This painting has been many months in the making. Inspired by the vistas at the Piazzale Michelangelo, my girlfriend and I had walked from the centre of Florence to this spectacular viewpoint and stayed until dusk, soaking up the most breathtaking panorama we'd ever seen.
The Duomo cathedral and Ponte Vecchio bridge remain imposing in this artwork due to my Square Panorama technique. I always remember in art class at school, the teacher saying that the perspective of landscape pictures are relaxing, contrasting with portrait pictures, which were dramatic. What I took away from this was that I wanted to make paintings which were relaxing and dramatic at the same time. I feel that 'Florence Aerial View' illustrates this perfectly.
Nice Aerial View
Oil on deep edge canvas (60 x 60cm - Framed)
The first day of visiting Nice, I walked up Castle Hill and was inspired by the beautiful panoramic view of the sea, palm trees and buildings. Translating the vista into a square panorama, I created large arcs and expanded the buildings from a speck on the horizon to dominate the right hand side of the painting.
Picking up on the mistral's effects, I blended the sea into the sky. By applying oil with sponges to the whole painting gave the soft, carefree effect intended, with the exception of the palm trees, painted with brushes to highlight the idyllic scene.
Blue Beach, Nice
Oil on deep edge canvas (60 x 60cm - Framed)
I loved the way the umbrellas began to closer resemble beach balls when converting this aerial beach view from wide vista to a square panorama in this depiction of the Promenade des Anglais beachfront. I aimed to capture the colours and clarity of light, brought by the mistral, as Rita and I had experienced summer early in Nice - March-time!
Ponte Solferino, Pisa
Oil on deep edge canvas (60 x 60cm - Framed)
Upon visiting The Leaning Tower of Pisa, we passed a bridge with buildings displaying a spectrum of summer colours, then reflected in the river below. My girlfriend in her long, flowing dress, which appears to harmonise with the colour of the buildings, looks down into the water on the left.
I have played around with this square panorama in an Escher-esque manner to create an interesting perspective where the river ends.
Park Gallery is located in the Montpellier area of Cheltenham, owned by the very friendly couple Claire and Steve (sometimes also assisted by their dog, Stan).
Completely Covid-19 Secure, the gallery now offers three additional services; Private Shopping, a 'Click & Collect' option and a Free Delivery on all artworks.
Park Gallery partake in the Own Art scheme, which makes buying art easy and affordable by letting you spread the cost of your purchase over 10 months with an interest free loan.