lily cunningham...

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After a lifetime of studying and teaching Literature and Humanities I am thrilled to be able to spend time painting and drawing.

Although I've been drawing all my life, it is only in the last decade that I've had time to devote to my passion for art.

I am primarily a figurative artist and the challenge of portraying the human condition, and social justice issues, never ceases to fascinate me.

I paint figures realistically, symbolically, or abstractly depending on the subject and my mood.

A major inspiration is my relationship with my two dear sisters and I often return to a 'three girl' picture theme. I explore our childhood and young adulthood, depicting any emotion I am feeling.

Similarly, spending time with wildlife sends me off on sequences of native or domestic animal, usually frivolous, paintings.

The richness and subtlety of pastels and charcoal enables me to work with freedom while maintaining an original drawing. Pastel is a very direct way of applying pigment and I love the purity and brilliance of each colour.