Karen Monaghan

My primary interest is in producing images in acrylic and mixed media, inspired by the outdoors; landscape and elements. Using sketches from location I construct an image using colour, texture and words which represent my emotional response to time and place. I love the process of working with the materials, making marks and seeing how materials react with each other. Repeated journeys; walking; cycling; running and climbing form the basis of the images which can be familiar but are unique when captured in a particular time-frame; change of light; weather; sound; temperature. The place where we live, and our sense of place in it, is unique. Our shared experiences and the stories we are told, and tell, evolve over generations like the changing landscape. Some text, found object or other reference in the body of the painting can stir a response in someone, but it will be their own unique sense of place. What I find interesting is that our joint love of the landscape, our connection with the land, with our fellow humans, compels us to see similarities and enjoy a sense of belonging. More than ever now with our planet in crisis we need to come together as families, communities and countries to compel governments to take brave steps and allow integrity to win over greed.