Artist's Statement:

Pastel is my medium of choice because of it’s flexibility of application, which enables a process that lies somewhere between drawing and painting. I relish the physical, direct connection between myself and the pigment, the process of discovery and endless possibilities that creating brings. I will tackle any subject matter that I find engaging, but it is in Still Life that I perhaps experience the deepest connection.

I strive to challenge myself in developing interpretive work which is responsive and emotive. I approach different subjects in ways I feel that are suitable to the nuances of an idea; some works are very meticulous in execution, others come to life more spontaneously. The process can be a real struggle but it is a drive to learn and develop as an Artist however, that pushes me forward.

Method of Working:

I have a strong sense of composition and arrangement and spend a great deal of time arranging objects for Still Life pieces. The process of physically handling objects is important to me. I gather sensory information which is then translated into considered mark making in pastel to differentiate between surfaces, textures and sensations. The application of the pastel will vary according to the texture or form. The divide between shadow and solidity, of two and three dimensions, will be shown in how I paint different elements of a picture. It is with this approach that I strive to convey not just what I see in front of me but how something feels, both emotionally and physically.

Biographical Details:

I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Design Communications before going on to work as a Graphic Designer in broadcasting at the BBC and then Sky Television.

This was followed by 13 years of teaching both Graphic Design and Drawing in Further Education at Newcastle College.

I became a full time Artist in 2015.

Society Memberships:

The Pastel Society
The Pastel Society of America
Associate Member of The Society of Graphic Fine Art

Scholarships, Awards and Prizes:

The Artist Magazine Award. The Pastel Society
The Advancement of Pastel in Modernism Award. The Pastel Society of America.
The Royal Talens/ Rembrandt Award. The Pastel Society

Exhibitions:

The Pastel Society
The Pastel Society of America
The Royal Society of Marine Artists
The Society of Graphic Fine Art
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Selected Group Exhibitions:

Contemporary Six Gallery, Manchester
The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, Northumberland
The Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland

Solo Exhibitions:

Gallery 45, Northumberland

Publications:

The Artist Magazine July 2024

Social Media Links:

Instagram & Threads: @fionacarvellpastelartist

Facebook: @fionacarvellArt

Blue Sky: @fionacarvellartist