Artist Statement
Sarah EA Parkin is known for her watercolour landscapes of the Derbyshire Dales. She tends to paint the ‘less seen’ views of local places around Matlock including Ashover, Rowsley, Chesterfield & Wirksworth. Looking at the way the built, man-made environment with its geometric shapes and structural lines sits within the undulating, organic landscape, she keeps the sense of place but responds in an expressive, informal manner.
Brought up in the flatlands of North Somerset with lots of sunsets and cycling in the countryside, she enjoyed drawing from an early age, especially nature. She discovered a love of art and its history, detouring to see works by Renaissance artists in Italy, Matisse in Nice or Monet in Paris. Her love of colour and drawing found an outlet when she chose to do Printed Textile Design at Derby, and then an MA in Birmingham. At UCE & in Taiwan, she studied Chinese ink scrolls and painting. Landscapes did begin to emerge as a creative escape. When children came along, she became increasingly drawn into the surrounding landscape and the freedom that this subject brings.
She likes to see the drawn pencil marks, the fast movement of a Chinese ink brush, or a hint of a scratchy dip pen. She has increasingly formed a strong bond with the area; its soft rolling hills, dramatic cliff faces and surprise town vistas, tree-lined hills and parks. She prefers to work outdoors to get a feel of the view, the atmosphere & rhythm when immersed in it. Sometimes figures flit into the work. For her, though, it is important that those figures don’t dominate, but integrate into the natural environment. Capturing a season, a snowy scene, has a strong appeal. Singular or groups of trees, often form an important part of the composition or subject matter, such as the Oker tree or Peak Tor.
Further to this, she has been developing artworks considering landscapes on the point of change, with the special focus on trees for ‘Celebrating Derbyshire Trees’, Buxton Museum and Art Gallery show until early June 2022. Passionate about the environment, Sarah says "It has been a wonderful opportunity to highlight the issues in our county and share the joy of trees".
Sarah has found resonance in the landscape work of Paul Nash, Eric Ravillious, and David Hockney.
Sarah is intending to show again this year at Belper Arts Trail 1st May BH.
A selection of prints is available to view at Wirksworth Framers (closed Sunday & Wednesday).
Studio open by appointment only. See Facebook page for most up-to-date details.
Fine art reproductions, cards and mugs.
