My paintings are essentially a series of stories in transition. Each painting goes through many layers before arriving at a final conclusion. This is an integral part of my working method which directs not just the surface changes and patterns, but often the narrative and final outcome of each piece.

Each work begins with a rough idea or story, memories or fragments of things that I like or inspire me. I then form a narrative as the work slowly progresses. This is often heavily influenced by my interest in Ancient Egypt and mythologies from the ancient world.

Final works usually consist of an assortment of contemplative characters who appear to inhabit an anonymous and semi-abstract landscape. There is a sense of purpose to the characters. Yet each appears lost in thought or isolated in a form of static limbo. As viewers we are interrupting a specific moment of their journey.

My main aim now is to increase to create artworks which are hopefully more emotive with a stronger sense of narrative.

Recent works, involve experiments using collage as stencils to recreate realistic figures from film/TV or characters. These figures contrast with the abstracted landscape which surrounds them. I’m using this process to create my own mythology of characters and settings.  Essentially, I now see my paintings as stages where familiar characters rotate within and around a hidden narrative.

http://www.nicolagalloway.org