Fran Marks Art - Open Studios

Bold, abstract and semi-abstract paintings full of colour and movement. Inspired by landscapes at home and abroad, and by the ever-changing sea.

I started painting again during lockdown, many years after my initial studies in form and colour. Looking for a way to express myself through art, I started experimenting with oil and cold wax on paper and wooden cradled panels.

My paintings can start from a memory of colour and shape, or are prompted by a glimpse of something striking: spices piled in high pyramids, the colourful hubbub of a market, verdigris on metal, a sunset sky, a storm at sea, or spring in the garden. Having travelled extensively in Africa, India and the Middle East throughout my life, I have been inspired by the vibrancy of the landscapes, dress, and ceremonies to use bold colours in my work. My biggest love is the ocean in all its forms and moods and I often find that a painting which has started as something else ends up as an abstract representation of the sea.

I start by layering colours on the surface using a silicone scraper or roller, then slowly build layer upon layer over time, scraping back to reveal the history of the painting. Various mark-making tools add complexity and interest, and mixing sand, salt or marble dust with the paint adds texture.

As my work progressed over the summer of 2020, I built a studio in my garden in East Sussex so that I could work from a dedicated space. However, at the beginning of 2021 an opportunity arose to relocate to North Cornwall so I grabbed it with both hands and set off into the unknown. I now live less than ten minutes from the coast where I swim regularly throughout the year.

My new studio at the bottom of the garden is an outbuilding that I have converted to provide the perfect artist’s escape. When you visit, you will be warmly welcomed and have the opportunity to watch me work, have chat, and get an insight into my creative process.