About Maureen Nathan
The focus of my paintings is the expressive quality of oil pastel and its capacity for manipulation of gesture, mark and surface, particularly on canvas. This language of marks has an alphabet of observational drawings made in different media resulting in a variety of figurative work in oil, charcoal and ink. All inspired by nature and life, both local and further afield.
Born in Canada, I came in my late teens to live permanently in England. From an early age I enjoyed drawing and had hoped to attend art school in Canada. Events overtook me however: the hippie trail, love and life. I have four daughters ranging in age from 32 to 15 and while they have been and are growing up I’ve kept drawing all the time, looking at other artists' work and then drawing some more.
I have been lucky to have good teachers including Kulwont Aurora, Barbara Gee and some fine tutors at The City Lit and The Prince's Drawing School in London. I can't imagine a day without visual thoughts and trying to express that in drawing. Using pastels for the last few years has helped me explore colour more while still drawing all the while. A recent foray into printmaking has resulted in some interesting prints and ideas for the future. I am inspired by Paula Rego, Avigdor Ahrika, Jim Dine, and Alice Neel. I take heart from Kiki Smith who, like me, never went to art school.
My work has been exhibited in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and is in various private collections in the U.K. I am a participating artist in Dorset Art Weeks.
