Artist Statement

My training and experience in the performing arts has fuelled my paintings, which have a sense of the theatrical. My intention is to tell a story, creating characters, giving them a context for their existence. I strive to give my players a sense of presence and vitality, they are not static, movement is either actual or imminent.

Most often my chosen medium is acrylic, I enjoy the immediacy and versatility of the paint, using it in its opaque form and as transparent glazes. Recently I have found working on wood a greatly rewarding experience, the unyielding, hard surface allows me to create clean lines and fine detail.

My current work 'Keeping a Grip in The Capital' is inspired by the question, how does the ever changing landscape of the Capital effect its wildlife, who are the winners and losers? Painted life-size in acrylic on angled wooden panels, each piece features a different creature found in London. Wanting to make a personal connection I chose to paint individuals, the subjects stare out of the picture engaging the viewer directly. The panel itself is an important 3D space, the successful heron strides up and out of the panel while the less successful hare twists and turns trying to resist being tipped out.

 

Qualifications

2009 Open University BSc (Hons)

1993 Wimbledon School of Art BA (Hons) Theatre Design

1990 Maidstone College of Art Art Foundation

 

Hazel is a member of the United artists. Her work can be seen in Quantum Contemporary Art in Battersea and at McNeil Gallery in Herfordshire. Owners of her work include the Duchess of Roxburghe.

 
Competitions

2009 Winner of the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year -British Mammals

 

Group Exhibitions

2009 Toronto Art Fair, Canada

2009 Art London, Chelsea, London 

2009 Not Not the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, McNeill Gallery, Hertfordshire

2009 United Artists Open Exhibition, Menier Chocolate Gallery

2009 Cambridge Art Fair

2009 Battersea Affordable Art Fair, Spring Collection, London

2009 11UA Small Paintings Show, Fountain Gallery, Hampton Court

2008 Small Paintings Show, Westeram Art, Kent

2008 UA 87th Open Exhibition, Morley Gallery, London

2008 Art London, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, with Quantum Art

2008 Dublin Art Fair, with Quantum Art

2008 Wimbledon Open Studios Summer Show, London

2008 Battersea Affordable Art Fair(March), with Quantum Art

2007 Wimbledon Open Studios Winter Show, London

2007 HKPY Art Exhibition, Wimbledon

 

Commissions

2008 Mr David Robertson, Dog portrait

2008 Mrs Samantha Cross, Portrait

Selected Employment

2008 Poster design, 'Cigarettes and Chocolate' ,Putney Arts Theatre

2007 Scenic artist , 'Robinson Crusoe in Space', Colourhouse Theatre

2006 Scenic artist & props maker, 'Jason and the Argonauts', Alligator Theatre

2005 Muralist, Zanzibar mural, Colourstorm

2004 Muralist, Tuscan mural, Colourstorm

2003 Props maker, 'Arkadia', Holliday Productions

2002 Scenic artist, 'Captain Eager and the Mark of Voth', Imperious Films