The Jetty Gallery
Saima Rasheed
"I paint the world around me in order to create meaningful connections and form new memories.
Drawing inspiration from the breath taking and diverse landscapes of the English countryside and sea, my artwork captures the emotional response evoked by the ever-changing skies and light. Rather than creating a literal representation of the land, I aim to convey the mood and atmosphere of the scenery.
My painting process is instinctive and intuitive. While I may begin with a walk, a sketch, or a photograph as a starting point, I allow the painting to guide me and let the medium dictate its own path. When I begin a piece, I often have a sense of the mood and colour palette I want to convey, but I ultimately let the painting take on a life of its own, exploring the possibilities it presents. Some paintings are built up over weeks or months, with layers of paint being added and scratched back to create texture and reveal hints of history. Others are completed in one session, using the Alla Prima technique.
A significant component of my work is the Cold Wax Medium, a buttery paste made from beeswax. When combined with oil paint, this medium adds body and provides a beautiful velvety matte finish to the artwork. I find working with this medium to be a delicate process of layering and removing paint, allowing the hidden colours and textures to emerge. I appreciate its versatility and the endless possibilities it offers."