Audrey Johns is an Englishwoman by birth, who has lived in Pembrokeshire for more than fifty years.
Her Landscape paintings reflect her fascination with the past, and in particular, the cottages and humble dwellings of the West Wales farming community.
“ My researches take me to antique fairs, bookshops and local history archives in search of photographs of Pembrokeshire places as they were over a century ago. By visiting these places, comparisons can be made between how the locations looked originally, and how they stand today.
I try to establish a meeting point, or ‘fusion’ between the two, from which to create my composition.
At this point, an air of fantasy sometimes creeps in: certain elements and angles are changed : strong lines and exaggerated colours are gradually introduced by means of many layers of thick paint, grit, grasses and coloured glazes: these contribute to the distinctive style and unique texture of the finished painting.
There is a great element of ‘chance’ in my work, and the recognition that when I have accidentally made an interesting mark, that it should be preserved in order to build character into the piece.
The subject matter is simple, although as all artists will agree, the interpretation comes from the heart, and aims to capture the atmosphere, time and place of origin.”
Audrey Johns
The buildings and architecture of south west Wales form the main theme of my painting and reflect my fascination with the simple vernacular dwellings of country landscape alongside, and in contrast to, older, more stylish buildings of town and village.
The use of colour is vital to my work, and plenty of artistic licence ensures that the results are dramatic, lively and decorative, and fit in perfectly with the contemporary arts scene.
I hope you will enjoy looking through a selection of some ‘paintings past’, and browse new paintings and prints, currently for sale, and discover more about my work.
Audrey Johns
Contact: e mail only: mrsaudreyjohns@gmail.com