Max Aiken

Like many artists, much of my inspiration is drawn from the places I have visited and experienced.  My work is mainly landscapes, and rather than giving a realistic interpretation of the scene, I explore a means of expressing a sense of place, and the excitement that it generates.

I work on themes such as my Welsh Castles series, until the ideas and excitement are exhausted within me. Each theme can offer quite separate responses and styles, which I like to think show a lucidity in interpretation and exploration.

I find the space between realism and abstraction endlessly fascinating. This space is where I like to be, and it offers challenges and excitement when combined with the exploration of colour combinations.

I like to use oil and graphite, though working with Japan paper and watercolour offers the chance to see merging colours at their best. Colours are an endlessly fascinating area, which I am always working on.