Nottingham Contemporary Artist Carole Russell
I was born in 1956 and have lived in Nottingham all my life. I rediscovered my love for painting in 2007 and now paint in acrylics on canvas.
My desire to paint was rekindled by a visit to Capri, Italy. I returned home and the photographs I took were somehow not enough for me, so I started painting Capri. No surprise to anyone who has visited this beautiful island. I look at places, people and everyday object in a different way now - I look for depth and tone, I ask myself "what is the REAL colour" behind the shadow, behind the smiling eye?
Painting allows you to really see the world around you, you look at an object with a more intense presence - and - when you have finished painting it you have the luxury of gazing at it for as long as you wish - in life this is not possible, in life we must always be somewhere or not hold our gaze for too long in case we might offend!
"What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare."
Author: William Henry Davies
Associate member of Nottingham Society of Artists