My name is Janet McWilliam. I am a contemporary abstract painter.
I work mainly in acrylic paint and ink but I also love to use oils and a range of watercolour, graphite and pencil and occasional ‘found materials ’. My paintings can range from tiny to pretty large (2m plus) and I would say they are quite experimental in the making. My main focus is on content and storytelling and my work is intention led, which means that the work usually begins as a plan in my journal and then evolves when the paint hits the canvas.
The layering up and underpainting elements in the making process, is as important to me as the final finished work. The way each mark or layer is laid down is part of the story and I use a range of unconventional tools in the process.
The key themes to my work mainly relate to 'house/home' and memories of activities by those who have inhabited the space - memories of actions and movement and processes that may have occurred within the house.
I have an MA in Fine Art (Dist.) from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) 2021, in Farnham.
In 2025 I exhibited at The Mill Gallery in Elstead, near Godalming, The OxMarket in Chichester and at the Lockwood Studios in Guildford.
I am lucky enough to have a studio space at Lockwood Studios in Guildford.