Glenn Marshall – Artist’s Statement

I was born in a small mining village in 1950 and was brought up in rural surroundings near Leeds, and from this developed my abiding love of the Yorkshire countryside.

In 1999, after suffering an accident, I began to paint with watercolours.

Since then, and especially since 2003 when I began to make my living as an artist, I have evolved my own distinctive style of working.

The underlying principle behind all my work is to try and involve the viewer. I want him or her to suspend disbelief and feel able to enter the painting – even pass through it! So I have to try and give the impression of reality but not in a photographic way. I also try and incorporate a slight air of mystery or ambiguity for the viewer to solve in his or her own mind, so that the painting becomes”theirs” as much as mine!

This approach has defined my style of working and even the palette I use. I work exclusively in watercolour as this is the only medium that allows me the freedom and transparency needed to capture the essence or spirit of a place, as well as that elusive quality of light.

Although my major work is done in studio conditions I still feel it is vital to experience the location to get the ‘feel’ of it, so I work from my own sketches and drawings made on site.

My subject matter is ‘wildness’ – the seeming tangle of nature! This is probably why I am constantly drawn back to ancient forests such as the remains of the great Galtres forest. This used to stretch from Northumberland all the way to York but is now represented by a few isolated remnants in places like Strensall or Skipwith. Fortunately it is also still possible to experience of wilderness out on the North Yorkshire Moors or the high dales. Inspiration can come from many sources – a simple reflection in a puddle, a particular shaft of light in a forest – anything can be the focus that sparks the desire to capture a scene.

Over the years I have taught myself to’ look’ and have come to appreciate the infinite variety and sheer splendour of the natural world that surrounds us. As an artist I have the fantastic challenge to somehow express that wonder onto paper.

A challenge yes – but what a privilege to be able to try!