Pam Sackville: Opening This Saturday

Artist Spotlight: Pam Sackville

Who (or what) do you consider your artistic inspiration?

I find the play and effects of light and shade to be endlessly inspiring; whether it be on faces, hands, flowers or drapery, or the distant hills, ocean waves or trees.

Do you listen to music while you work, and if so, what is most often playing?

I love classical music, and often listen while I work. Schubert, Mendelsohn, Brahms, Mozart, Handel; chamber music, symphony or opera. Music always evokes an emotional response which surely enhances the pleasure of painting.

Who of your peers do you respect the most?

Being a watercolour artist, I particularly admire those who paint in watercolours. I was delighted when Cherry Hood won the Archibald prize with her watercolour portrait of Simon Tedeschi. An American painter called Charles Demuth provided much inspiration in my early painting and teaching. And I have always loved Margaret Woodward's drawings and paintings.

When did you decide to become an artist?

I began drawing in my late thirties as a hobby and found myself - to my great surprise - at the City Art Institute (now Sydney College of the Arts) completing a BA VisArt. One thing led to another and my new life as an artist began.

What is your favourite colour?

I love Winsdor Blue (green shade) for its vibrancy and strength. Brown Madder is also a favourite, and more recently I have become very enthusiastic about Perylene Maroon, a beautiful deep red/maroon.

Do you have a favourite painting or work of art? If so, what is it?

Though I have several cherished works of art, one of my all time favourites would have to be Margaret Woodward's Peregrinations Across The Gibson (1988). On a personal note, I would never part with my own pencil drawings of our two daughters.

Pam Sackville's exhibition of watercolour paintings opens 24th of April, 3-5PM

Sackville - Artist Statement - 2005 Exhibition

I began painting in watercolour over 20 years ago and was inspired by such artists as Ellis Rowan and Charles Demuth, and the luminous works of J.M.W. Turner.

When I was approached to paint flowers I was intrigued by their softness, delicacy and fragility, qualities I sought to capture in everything I painted. As I continued to paint flowers over many years, I developed a great passion for them, and began to explore different ways to express their vibrant beauty.

I have always enjoyed using graphite on paper to create subtleties of form and tone, light, shade, strength and softness, particularly in portrait making. However, I find that watercolour is the ideal medium for my still life images. I love the translucency and vibrancy of watercolour, the way the colours run and blend together creating their own hues. Watercolour offers an amazing depth of tone and brilliance, as well as the softest shades, through which the white paper shines as light or is disguised. It beautifully captures the glow of porcelain, the fold of drapes and the radiant colours of fruits and flowers.

Over the years my work has become much more expansive. I have gained freedom through greater size and increased intensity of colour. Although I am occasionally tempted by other painting media, watercolour somehow maintains its hold over me.