Folksy,whimsical, Naive....What?

I get many different descriptions of my work, ranging from Folksy art to Whimsical.

I'm not quite sure what it is.For me, it just is, what it is.I don't like to pigeonhole it into category.

When I first started to paint, I tried to paint in the very traditional way, but somehow my heart was never really there.

I do however love to view traditional watercolour, especially from many of the purists, and I look on with awe, and inspiration.In fact it is a passion for me.

My work just developed down the path it did, because I was following what eventually became natural to me.

Art should always be , in my eyes, an expression of what's inside of you, and however that manifests itself is I think the right way to go.

That's not to say one should be lazy in not experimenting and trying out new ideas, or reaching out of your comfort zone.That , I feel is how an artist develops.Pushing ones own natural boundaries.

My work may not suit the tastes of watercolour purists, but it certainly suits who I am.

If it really has to be categorized, then perhaps it should just be Chris Larkinism.

Imagine

It took me years to realize the potency of ones imagination.

A person doesnt have to sit at the top of Everest to know what the view looks like from there.

Is it the same to have merely imagined being there, and acting as if, in your minds eye, you were really there? Feeling all the sensations that you think you would feel, if you really were there.

I think a person can. What's better still, I think you could actually have an even better and more intense experience than just passively taking in the view of what's actually out there in reality.

Of course that raises the issue of reality.Everything we see, hear, touch, smell and taste is filtered and perceived so differently, none of us ever will get to truth.

Is the scene in the painting above, real or imagined?

Sometimes, I'm really not quite sure anymore.

Maybe that's the point of me being an artist.Bending reality to fit with the model of the world I would want.

Just because I see it in my head, doesn't mean it's not real.

Is it?

Colour is a huge driving force in my work, and I'm forever trying to achieve a full on intensity to my paintings.

Very often you can be forgiven for thinking I am being slightly lazy by repeating many elements in my work.

Yet, if you look closely, you will see all the variations of tone and colour if you put those works side by side.

I am always experimenting by placing different colours against each other and then noticing the effects on the paintings as a whole.

Of course there are mant formulas for placing colours i.e complimentary colours against their primaries, but there are more subtle ways to this also.

The fun is in the experimentation for me, and trying to paint that elusive piece that stands out from a mile away.

One day, I will succeed....I know it.

ACEO titled Goodnight Kiss.

I wasn't too sure how I was going to paint this one, but as soon as I painted the smallest house first, it set the tone, and I just knew exactly what to do next.

Most of my work relies on instinct now, though that's not to say I don't put any thought into it.

It's a bit like driving a car or a bike.Once you've drilled into yourself the basics, you don't need to conciously think about operating the car/bike, but you still need to know where you're driving to.
I arrivd at my destination here anyhow......

ACEO Waterolour Chris Larkin Titled SUNBLUSH HILL.

I'm playing around again with subtle colour changes to see what moods I can conjure up.Using warmer and colder shadow areas, as small as they are, do make a significant difference.....Well, to me anyway.

Painting the background hill, a purply grape colour plays off against the yellowy fence and far trees for more impact, but at the same time helps unify the painting's overall palette and colour scheme........Also,........does it really matter?

Corner by Sally's Watercolour.

I often love painting in the square format, as it is not the most obvious and favoured dimensions.

It gets me creative on another level for filling and balancing the space.