Sarah J Cooper Derbyshire, United Kingdom
As a self taught artist I create brave and bold, sea and land scapes created using oil paint and palette knives. Capturing nature’s elements, its extremes of light and dark, its stillness and ferocity. Hope just on the horizon. Originally from Sheffield now living in Derbyshire with my family. I travel the UK coastline to gain inspiration and experiences, which are put into my artwork.
For me, creating seascapes is a way of communicating not just what I see, but what is felt whilst stood confronted with the strength and power of nature. My work is created from sketches (en plein air) and written notes, but mostly through memory and the continual observation of my surroundings and experiences.
The art pieces themselves are predominantly created using oil paint and I prefer to use palette knives to apply the oils in varying consistencies, gradually building up initial layers before adding the final thick swipes of paint, which add drama and lush texture. When in the moment, paint is often simply applied or blended with my hands, to add movement and capture the immediacy of the subject.
Although my work reflects darker stormy days, there is always light breaking through to signify hope and draw the viewer into the scene.
