We are thrilled to have landscape painter Nerine Tassie on the Jackson’s Open Painting Prize Judging panel. Now in its second year, The Jackson’s Open Painting Prize exists to recognise and appreciate original, 2-dimensional fine art works in any painting or drawing media.
Tassie graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2002 with a degree in Fine Art. Natural spaces and forms provide the basis and inspiration for her work, in particular the coastal waters and woodlands around her home. Her paintings have a hauntingly beautiful quality to them which emphasises the mysteries of nature. She often plays with the framing of the images that she depicts, as well as layering multiple images such as man-made structures over trees and rivers. This adds to the sense of a record of a space in time. We were interested in finding out more about Nerine Tassie and what she might be looking for when she helps to judge the Jackson’s Open Painting Prize 2017.
Autumn Rain
Nerine Tassie
Mixed media, 50cm x 50cm, 2016
Lisa: When did you first fall in love with landscape painting?
Nerine: I’ve been painting landscapes since Art College, though at that time I was creating more abstracted pieces, which focused on surface texture. I’ve always had a preoccupation with the textural qualities found within the landscape but when I moved to the coast 11 years ago I began to explore the imagery of the coastal and landscape scenes around me. I was really inspired by these natural spaces as these landscapes are ever changing and at times very daunting. I wanted to explore these aspect of nature within my painting and so I always try create a strong sense of atmosphere and connection to place within my work.
Lisa: You won Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year last year (congratulations!) How does this kind of recognition impact upon your painting practice?
Nerine: Winning the competition has really driven me in terms of my own practice. It allowed me a platform for my work which has led to more exhibition opportunities and so I’ve been focused on creating a good body of work to take to exhibition. I’ve been able to build momentum with my work, pushing myself artistically and exploring new ideas compositionally and in terms of technique and scale. I feel like I’ve learned much more about my painting process as a result.
Lisa: When you head out for a session of painting ‘en plein air’ what are the bare essentials that you always take with you?
Nerine: I always use pieces of primed thick card or board when working ‘plein air’ as these surfaces provide a solid base for using mixed media. I’d usually take a collection of different materials including inks and enamel sprays but my essentials would be a basic colour palette of acrylic and oil paints as well as charcoal and pencils.
Within the Forest
Nerine Tassie
Mixed media, 58cm x 58cm, 2016
Lisa: What exciting plans do you have in store for 2017?
Nerine: I’m preparing work for exhibitions later in the year as well as working to commission. Some of my new work is inspired by a residency in Ireland that I completed at the end of last year.
Lisa: What will you be looking for in the work submitted to the Jackson’s Open Painting Prize?
Nerine: I’ll be looking for work that I find inspiring and that stands out from the rest. It might be a piece that takes a new direction in terms of composition, use of media or technical ability but it will be a piece that intrigues me and pushes me to look harder.
Lisa: What is your creative new year’s resolution?
Nerine: I spend most of my time in the studio with blocks of research time scheduled into my year so I can gather new imagery and inspiration. This year I’m trying to get out at least once a week to research new imagery so that this process becomes more of integrated aspect of my painting practice.
Lisa: Do you have plans for any forthcoming shows, and also where online can readers view more of your work?
Nerine: l will be exhibiting later in the year at the Bohun Gallery Oxfordshire as well as Lympstone Manor, dates to be confirmed. New work and confirmation of exhibition dates can be found on my website www.nerinetassie.com
Autumn Sea II
Nerine Tassie
Autumn Sea II
Mixed Media, 26cm x 20cm, 2016
Header Image: ‘River View’ by Nerine Tassie, Mixed media , 66cm x 90cm, 2016
