Jennifer Gardner

My paintings are created using intense and brightly colored soft pastels applied directly onto sanded paper or a mixed media combination of watercolors and pastels. My impressionist paintings are borne of my initial reaction to color; once my eye has been caught I search for the best composition to express my reaction to the scene. My abstract pieces are borne of freedom of expression – an evolving interaction between line, color and texture, ensuring that every piece is original. Created almost exclusively on a white abrasive ground, each piece evolves intuitively through a process of sketching, pastel under-painting, alcohol washes over soft pastel, watercolor underpainting and re-application of pastel, some with gold leaf highlights.