Bright pigments - paints I love

In 2013 and 2019, I had the opportunity to visit Marrakech and the beautiful Atlas Mountains. These locations, beloved by tourists and artists alike, left a lasting impression on me. I was devastated to learn of the massive earthquake almost three months ago, that had caused significant destruction. The seismic impact was even felt in Marrakech, 40 miles from the epicenter in the Atlas Mountains.

One of the coastal towns I explored was Essaouira, situated about a 3-hour drive from Marrakech. The atmosphere here was noticably more relaxed, with fewer street sellers approaching me as I wandered around the medina.

I found a tiny shop where friendly staff sold spices and mineral pigment paint. This sparked a new series of paintings, and a continuation in my work now. The vibrant colours and romantically named pigments were captivating:

Coquelicot Sauvage, Pourpre Male, Bleu Majorelle, Camomile, Maron, Pourpre Femelle, and the standout was Bleu d'Essaouira - it transformed from a dark brown, when dry, into a gorgeous dark blue!

I remembered the last time I used pigment paints was in the printmaking studio at Central Saint Martins. The technicians bought them from Cornelissen, a magical shop on Great Russell Street.
It's a beautiful and rewarding process, to create ink. The process involves grinding pigments with a glass muller onto a heavy sheet of glass, so satisfying!

Reconnecting with pigments sparked my interest to delve deeper into their properties and potential. I experimented with various paint mediums to mix with pigments, which makes them so versatile. They can be mixed into different consistencies – thick, and buttery like oil paint and also, diluted to watercolour.

Slowing down the creative process became an important part of my practice – especially during lockdown when I was studying for my MA.
Our tutors encouraged us to 'interrogate our practice' – why and how do we do the things we do?

It invited me to reflect on the creative practices of traditional Chinese calligraphers. There are parallels to their meditative process of grinding ink sticks, typically composed of carbon (soot mixed with animal glue), on an inkstone. This contemplative ritual serves as a precursor to their creative expression, highlighting the deep connection between artistic processes and mindfulness.

A percentage of the sales from my upcoming Morocco series of prints will be donated to the British Red Cross Morocco Earthquake Appeal. This commitment aims to contribute to relief efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake.

#pigments #morocco #jacksons #cornelissens
#essaouria # paint #watercolour #experiments #BritishRedCross #EarthquakeAppeal