Anne Winstanley Wood

Inspired by the Surrey Hills, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales, Anne creates joyful, semi-abstract landscapes which possess a playful, imaginary quality and are characterised by layers of gorgeous colours and expressive mark making and fluid movement which are full of visual storytelling. Anne grew up in a northern mill town surrounded by the moors, hills and stone walls of the Yorkshire Dales. Her landscapes reflect both the North and the South - her past and present - and Anne\'s relationship with the land is deeply rooted in her family\'s heritage and ancestors who were farmers and mill workers. Initial sketches and photos made outdoors gradually evolve into more abstracted compositions back in the studio which tap into feelings and memories to depict Anne’s distinctive style. Using a wide variety of tools and techniques her creative process consists of building up layers of acrylic paint, glazes, collage, ink, pastels and oil sticks and constantly playing with drips, splashes, washes and scratches to produce rich textural effects adding depth and visual interest. From the colours, shapes and textures created, Anne\'s stylised trees, houses, barns, walls and hills gradually emerge to form her uplifting, lyrical landscapes. Anne graduated in Fine Art in 1984 at the University of Reading and pursued a career in music education, completing an MEd in Creative Arts at the University of Exeter. Her work has been exhibited and commissioned by collectors in the UK and USA. Anne exhibits in group shows in Surrey, Sussex, and Yorkshire, in local galleries and is Exhibition Organiser for Leatherhead Art Club. She is a member of Wildwood Artists whose \'My Mind\'s Eye\' exhibitions take place in the historic building of West Horsley Place. "Anne's stories flow through her work, the eye travelling around the world she has created, up and down the rolling hills, the dry stone walls and around the bending lanes." Emily from @artistdiaries