Barbara Bristow (Member)

To me painting is like a language in colour and form as well as a gateway to exploration and discovery. I love the immediacy and feel of paint brushing and flowing onto the canvas, letting my paintings evolve, layer after layer, stage by stage. I often work intuitively and let any images that may emerge to happen and to manifest. It allows seemingly arbitrary choice and chance to open a door for me, giving me a sense of excitement and discovery. It is hard for me to imagine life without colour, as I see it as an essential aspect of daily life that I love and celebrate. Occasionally, to enhance my work I use techniques that give the surface of the canvas a three dimensional aspect, using mixed media or collage.

My inspiration often comes from forms in nature and the landscape around me but occasionally from scientific concepts in physics or astronomy. I am interested in how colour can create the illusion of light, which is especially reflected in my abstract and semi-abstract work, which still contains recognisable elements of nature.

I was born in Germany but have lived and worked in Derby since 1972. Since 1998 I have devoted myself fulltime to my passion for art, obtaining a BTEC Diploma at Derby College, graduating from Derby University with a BA (Honours) Fine Art Degree in 2005 and gaining a Certificate in Professional Development in Fine Art Practice from De Montfort University in 2007.

My last commission was for a large oil painting for the new Multi-Faith Centre in Derby. I have exhibited regularly as a member of the Morph group; the latest exhibitions were in 2008 at Derby Museum & Art Gallery and at the Brewhouse Art Centre Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.