Glimmer - Nikki Pearce
We currently have the most fabulous solo exhibition at Emerald - a collection of original landscape paintings by Chalfont based artist - Nikki Pearce.
The exhibition is in full follow and is open 9 to 5 daily, so call in and enjoy the art on display.
Exhibition Title: Glimmer. Noun. Small miraculous moments that require noticing; moments that enchant you, open your heart, and make you come alive. Opposite of trigger.
Exhibition Summary: The first solo exhibition of Nikki Pearce. Following her most successful Bucks Art Week to date. Nikki is excited to share this series of new works on canvas and paper. These painting have helped me to overcome my usual terrible come down from Buck Art Week. They have, I think, cleared my head and spoken kindly to me when I needed them too. They are colourful, scribbly fun, suggestive of ripples and grasses, muted, soft, intricate and quiet in size and format. A post box view of my world of art practise and landscape inspiration.
We were lucky enough to interview Nikki and ask her more about her artist journey and work, read on to discover more:
Nikki Perce at Emerald Gallery
Background and Influences
Can you tell me a bit about your background and your artwork?
Art was really the only thing that I was any good at, at school, so I followed that route to do an art foundation, then a Fine Art degree (Wimbledon School of Art 1991 – 1994 ) and even completed an MA at Chelsea (1995). I thought I would always paint, but then I needed to earn some money so I began working, initially space planning office furniture and moving on to designing Wetherspoon pubs. There was no time or space for painting, even though I was always art and architecture obsessed, with weekends spent at London galleries.
What was a defining moment when you knew you wanted to be an artist?
I began painting again in 2019 following the death of my Partner. Painting felt like a way to regain control of my broken life. It gave me an outlet to process grief and it allowed me to be consumed in a task without internal turmoil, similar to meditation.
I think I can lose myself and find myself in my painting somehow.
Creative Process
What inspires your art?
I love painters; Turner, Rothko, Richter, Kiefer and Bacon. I also love nature, gardening and being outside. I love colour and light and I really love the process of both drawing and painting. These current paintings really try and find some middle ground with pencil used to draw into the acrylic surfaces, creating textures and lines. I hope the mark making draws the viewer in as much as the compositions.
Art makes you look and question what you are looking at.
How would you describe your creative process?
I try and do something creative every day. I draw in sketchbooks, from real life and from photos. I really make an effort to not be hard on myself when I only have 10 minutes. If I am ever stuck I will take my sketchbook and walk my local woods and fields. There is always inspiration in the landscape and my response to it. I think an artist eye allows you to find beauty in simple things, like sunlight on grass or reflections on water.
How do you develop ideas and translate them into art?
I am always very aware of all my senses. I delight in small moments of joy and I actively look for these. I usually surround myself with sketchbooks and like to work on a few different pieces at once.
I like working on paper as I find this less inhibiting.
What are your biggest artistic challenges?
I am very self-critical and always think that I can do better. Perhaps it is this single thought that keeps me painting, but also means that nothing is safe and often I can overwork or over paint areas.
I like to challenge myself with trying colour palettes outside of my comfort zone. I do like abstract work, but I am always drawn back to the landscape. It is a constant challenge working with these two elements.
The Artist profile
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Art is all about practise. Don’t be put off, if you enjoy it, keep practising.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a commission for a Chorleywood house, its 1metre x 1metre canvas to go over a fireplace in a Sitting Room that I have done the interior design for, so it has to be just right. - The working title is Wild Hope.
So, now you know more about the artist, please do call in this week and see her stunning exhibition✨
Looking for a statement painting or some more discreet, you may find it in this collection.
Open daily 9 to 5 until Saturday the 3rd of August.