Florals
Lesley Birch's florals are full of movement and energy and take a contemporary twist on the formalities of the still life convention. Paintings are available to purchase from selected galleries. Please click on images below for more details on sizings and where to purchase.
Large canvas 93.5 x 93.5 cms - £1400 Saltbox Gallery, Helmsley, UK
Lesley Birch in the floral studio, York, UK 2022
ABOUT LESLEY BIRCH'S FLORAL PAINTINGS
Inspired by the ebb and flow of the seasons Lesley Birch’s flower paintings have a character all of their own, from vibrant blossoms to wilting, crusty stems. Her work is expressive and is as much about her mood as it is about her subject.
“Whatever is going on in my life, immersing myself in observing these forms and colours helps me forget myself,” she says.
Lesley’s studio is filled to the brim with flowers in all their colours and blooms, alive and fading, in pots and colourful vases, crowded in amongst paint pots and brushes.
“I’m aiming to create atmospheric, emotive paintings with a lyrical feel. I'm not aiming for an exact version of a flower - simply an expression of the moment."
Inspired by the ebb and flow of the seasons Lesley Birch’s flower paintings have a character all of their own, from vibrant blossoms to wilting, crusty stems. Her work is expressive and is as much about her mood as it is about her subject.
“Whatever is going on in my life, immersing myself in observing these forms and colours helps me forget myself,” she says.
Lesley’s studio is filled to the brim with flowers in all their colours and blooms, alive and fading, in pots and colourful vases, crowded in amongst paint pots and brushes.
“I’m aiming to create atmospheric, emotive paintings with a lyrical feel. I'm not aiming for an exact version of a flower - simply an expression of the moment."
Gouache, Acrylic, Inks and Oil Pastel are her favoured media - and lots of different sized brushes too as well as using her hands and fingers to spread paint. A sense of abstraction is often present in her interpretation.
"I absolutely relish an expressive mark and layers of colour," says Lesley.
Lesley works from her city studio in York, UK. It's a shared studio space with around 24 artists, writers and makers - from a jeweller to a ceramicist to a sculptor to a rag rug maker. It's a very special place for Lesley, who finds the feedback and support from her peers invaluable. "We share ideas about our projects and generally have a very good laugh," she says.
Why flowers? Why this subject matter? Lesley explains that she has been painting flowers since February 2021 when she 'tuned in' to the daffodils on her studio window.
“Most Mondays I leave my studio and walk to the nearby market in York where I go to the Flower Stall and stock up with some beautiful blooms. I select carefully and then I get to work back in the studio observing their luminous petals, stalks and expressive shapes. Even when these blooms wilt, I still find them super inspiring.
I love an expressive brush mark and the look of a spontaneous painting, free and intuitive. I’m aiming to capturing a feeling of aliveness.”
Lesley Birch 2022
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©Eloise Ross Photography 2022
Sitting Pretty, 80 x 64 cms - © Lesley Birch 2022
£1195 at Carina Haslam Fine Art Gallery
£1195 at Carina Haslam Fine Art Gallery
Florals - Framed Canvases 34 x 34 cms - £350 from Flint Gallery, Norfolk
For more info please Contact mail@lesleybirchart.com
For more info please Contact mail@lesleybirchart.com
