Page 30 - Allotment Gardener Issue 2 2024

CREATIVE PLOTTERS
Wild pastels
Karen Gouley is an artist who takes great inspiration from her allotment and the visiting animals. She has held her plot at Demesne Road Allotments in Sutton for 2 years, where she grows vegetables, flowers, small trees and has a small pond that attracts a wealth of wildlife. Here she tells us about her creative process and shows off her pastel work.
For me, my allotment space has become my sanctuary, a place where I can escape the
noise of the city and simply be present in the moment. It’s where I go to get my hands dirty, feel the earth beneath my feet and connect with the natural world. When I’m there, surrounded by all that beauty, I can’t help but feel inspired to create. Whether it’s painting or taking photos, being in nature always seems to unlock something inside me. Sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, jays and robins appear throughout winter and in summer, I’m fortunate enough to spot moths and butterflies too.
I paint in soft pastel, which lends itself nicely to capturing fur and feathers. I find that soft pastels allow me to create a sense of texture and depth, which is crucial when trying to capture the essence of wildlife. Whether it’s
the soft, downy feathers of a baby bird or the coarse, thick fur of a fox - I can use pastels to bring these features to life on the page.
Of course, painting wildlife isn’t always easy. Sometimes my models move around too much or the lighting isn’t quite right, so I use my camera to capture the moment and work from it later. But I find that the challenge is part of what makes it so rewarding. When I finally finish a painting and see the animal come to life on the page, it’s a great feeling.
Overall, I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to combine my love of art with my love of nature. Painting wildlife allows me to connect with the world around me and share that connection with others through my art.
For more information take a look at Karen’s website www.karengourley.com
30 | Issue 2 2024 | Allotment Gardener