Araminta Fogden

Wildlife is my primary inspiration. Wild animals – hares, rabbits, badgers, pheasants, owls. They give me so much to work with, in their fantastic colours, lines and patterns, attitude, body language and energy. I do like to capture a sense of personality within these creatures; an all-knowing glimmer of intelligence in their eyes.

I’d say my work is much stylised, motif-like, naive, folky and fun. I love simple design, with good crisp lines, and endeavour to achieve this. I’m very much inspired by work of the Arts and Crafts era, Japanese and Chinese prints and ceramics, folk art, Art Deco motifs and Art Nouveau style.

I do really love to draw and paint, to be creative, make a mess and design.  It’s what makes me happy, so to make a living doing what I love is just fantastic. I hope that love comes through in my work.

My working process starts with study; lots of drawing. These first drawings are a straight copy of the image, and have in no way been stylised, but as I go on, I do start to play with the lines of the animal, and create my own style.

Then I’ll turn to paints, acrylics and oils. I’m drawn to rich, warm, bold colours and very much enjoy using gold leaf. It just seems to set everything off so well, and adds a warm glow as it nods to the beautiful artwork of the Byzantine era, and its resurgence within the Arts and Crafts and Pre-Raphaelite movements.