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Biography & Artist Statement

Leila lives in Sussex and specialises in seascapes, ranging from figurative to abstract.
She started painting at an early age in Scarborough, North Yorkshire where she grew up.
The North East coast provided rich inspiration during her formative years, and
she spent many hours on the beach. This time has had a major
impact on her work as an artist, and her fascination with the beach and
sea has developed accordingly.

After a Business Studies degree, and 12 years as an accountant, she made
time again for her love of painting. An evening course at Gloucestershire College
of Art & Technology rekindled her excitement for art, and she was encouraged
to study for an art A level, followed by a foundation diploma in Art and
Design at Herefordshire College of Art and Design. Regular
trips to the St Ives School of Painting have also been an important
source of inspiration and technical guidance, and she started selling her
paintings professionally through galleries in 2004.
Having lived in
Gloucestershire for a number of years, she moved to Sussex at the
start of 2010, and is delighted to be close to the sea once more.

As well as mixed exhibitions she has had several solo shows, and her paintings
are enjoyed in France, Italy, Israel, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, as well as
the UK. Her chosen medium is acrylic, for its versatility, and the exciting potential
for including mixed media such as muslin and sand. She uses a limited
palette to create harmony throughout her work. Previous experience with
ceramics and printmaking have resulted in her love of an
interesting surface quality.

Artist Statement

My aim is to capture the essence of a subject while allowing a personal response
from you, the viewer. We all have different life experiences, and it’s my
intention that a painting will evoke something personal to you.

Using a combination of observation and improvisation, I encourage the materials
to direct the artistic flow some of the time, and work through a process of chaos and control.
Fascinated with the beach and waves for many years, I hope my work will appeal to others
who love the coast and the sea.
The use of texture (or not) is relevant, and many of my
paintings contain sand or muslin, as well as a variety of other mixed media
including gold mica flakes to add a subtle sparkle in certain lights.  

 

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 Leila Godden
© 2012