Kelly Washbourne
Kelly Washbourne's work is of immeasurable depth, texture and colour.
Every canvas represents its own journey as paint is layered and balanced to create exquisite colour relationships, provoking both thought and emotion. Taking months to complete, each piece becomes an evolving record of the painting process offering glimpses into the hidden history of its creation.
She is known for the bold expression of her large pieces which are full of texture, energy and vibrancy. Her small canvases, which have become popular exhibited in grids, offer an endless variety of shades and brush strokes and create a unique artwork with every composition.
Graduating from Falmouth University in 2002 with a BA Hons in Fine Art, Kelly finds her inspiration in the freedom, bravery and liberty of The New York School artists. Expressionists of the 1940s and 50s such as Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning and Helen Frankenthaler incite confidence in her use of paint. She also draws reference from the beautifully energised artistry of Gillian Ayres and Peter Lanyon.
Contemporary artists such as Cecily Brown and Rose Wylie continue to influence her work, which marries an edgy experimentalism with sheer joy and liberty suffusing each canvas.
She has been exhibiting her original abstract oil paintings since 2003 in the UK, New York, LA, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Singapore.
Kelly Washbourne's work is immediately impactful, sparking an innate reaction. Her canvases speak to you at first sight, yet retain mystery, intrigue and complexity for years to come.
"My art is my anchor, giving me a sense of belonging, space and freedom. People tell me they feel a connection to my paintings, frequently seeing something new in the layers and textures. This mindful bond with the layers of history and contrast of colours on each canvas is all about creating an enigma designed to uplift and inspire." Kelly Washbourne, 2021.