Anne Blackwell-Fox
When looking at Anne Blackwell-Fox’s work, one immediately gets transported on a journey down a river, cruising past verges of deep green and violet where the play of light on the surface moves organically from one side of the painting to the other. Blackwell-Fox’s brush marks are subtle, she paints in a meditative way, quietly building up layers until the painting reaches a finely tuned finish of multicoloured swirls of watery reflections or intricate patterns of trees and branches.
The paintings find their birth place in memory and in her very personal connection to a sense of place, the place where she grew up, the place that offered comfort, where dreams were dreamt, where joy existed beside grief. The paintings deal with the big themes of humanity, memory, love, loss, and offer us a moment of recollection.
Blackwell-Fox 's interest in a sense of place finds her regularly filling sketch pads with inky impressions of her favourite haunts, visiting them over and over again, always searching for that ultimate drawing. There is a sense of searching in the familiar surroundings for yet another treasure.
As well as drawing from observation, Blackwell-Fox takes an abundance of photographs that she studies until she finds that special area that draws her in and focuses her attention, it is as if the treasure comes slowly to the surface as the painting starts taking form and becomes that treasured piece of the river or woodland.
written by Marie-Claire Hamon
Artist Statement
Being absorbed in the rural landscape and growing up near fields and woods created an indelible impression that remains as strong as ever today and is reflected in my current work.
I paint riverbanks, water reflections and woodland scenes mainly. My aim is to express a sense of place and a sense of connection to our natural world. One that is often isolated in ones’ own thoughts of being. Trying to capture the essence of the feeling of being in the moment, of mindfulness.
I am transfixed by reflections in the same way as watching the flames in a fire or waves breaking on a beach. The changes of light, shadows of trees and clouds and movement of the water is almost a meditative experience. I become engrossed and time slips by unnoticed, as if semi-conscious. I have the same feeling when walking in woodland, following more isolated paths and tracks. The sound of repetitive footsteps mesmerising and clearing the mind.
I make plein air sketches, sometimes write poetry and take photographs of places that inspire me. Back in my garden studio I work mainly with oil paints on canvas, developing my source material further. My paintings can be literal at times but are also translated into semi abstract works, giving a sense of freedom and expression with the brushwork.
Education
B.A(Hons) Fine Art. University College Falmouth
B.A(Hons) Recreation & Community with Art & Design. College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth
Exhibitions
Solo Shows
Tavistock Library, Devon Feb 2022
Artist of the Month – Drawn to the Valley Newsletter 2021
Joint Shows
4/4 gallery Callington 2023
Drawn to the Valley, Summer Show, Tavistock 2022
Homeframe Gallery, Plymouth 2022
Printmaking Show, Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard 2022
Homeframe Gallery, Plymouth 2021
Wonderzoo Online Anthology Show May 2021
Memoria (Mayflower 400) Feminist Fusion Online Exhibition 2021
Wonderzoo Online Anthology Show Feb 2021
Drawn to the Valley Online Lockdown Show 2021
Wonderzoo Online Anthology Show Nov 2020
Drawn to the Valley Online Spring Show 2020
Homeframe Gallery, Plymouth 2020
Homeframe Gallery, Plymouth 2019
Artmill Gallery, Plymouth 2019
Tavistock Town Hall, Devon 2019
Open Studios, Plymouth 2018
Harbour House Gallery, Kingsbridge 2017
Landulph Festival 2016
Harbour House Gallery, Kingsbridge 2016
Open Studios, Plymouth 2015
Blue Art Space, Porthleven 2014
Bistro 5-11, Plymouth 2013. (Exhibited and Curated Shows, 1,2 &3)
Landulph Festival 2012
Crypt Gallery, St Ives 2012
Royal William Yard, Plymouth 2011
Landulph Festival 2011
Artmill Gallery, Plymouth 2011
Fine Art Degree Show 2011
Artmill Gallery, Plymouth 201
BIO
I grew up with my family at the edge of a creek, with parkland and woods as my playground. My love of the open air and natural world has continued and in essence, gives me a sense of wellbeing and connection to place, especially those that I have visited time after time.
Working in offices for several years, I felt stifled and longed to make a career in which I could express myself creatively through my art.
Although I had been to college some time ago, I wanted to return to education and absorb myself in learning and obtain a Fine Art degree. I achieved this at University College Falmouth in 2011 and have since continued to paint landscapes locally in Devon and Cornwall.
My paintings are often an emotional response to what I think are sublime spaces and they reflect my feeling at the time of their making. Almost a self portrait of the mind. An absence of human form, they mainly appear as empty silent places and are met in solitude.
I have remained living in my hometown, by the River Tamar, close to water with walks along footpaths and estuaries, which has given me the freedom of mind to develop and create my paintings.
