Acrylic on Canvas
79cm (W) x 63cm (H) Framed
Quietude is an abstract botanical painting that captures the quiet tension of late Winter, poised on the edge of Spring. It speaks to those liminal moments when the first buds appear, fragile but persistent, signalling a shift not only in season but in self. I was drawn to this transitional space as a metaphor for renewal: the way Winter, with its introspection and stillness, gradually gives way to the energy of new growth. Each season, like each stage of life, serves a purpose. Quietude reflects that cycle and the moment of catching insight, of sensing change just beneath the surface.
Conceptually, the piece explores the inner world as much as the natural one. Using layered acrylics on canvas, I worked without brushes, instead challenging myself to develop new mark-making techniques with silicone tools. This allowed for a more intuitive and organic application of paint, emphasizing gesture and form. I focused on building translucent layers by testing various mediums until a subtle luminosity was created (an effect that echoes the delicate light of early Spring) The painting includes metallic highlights that catch and reflect light differently depending on the viewer’s position, reinforcing the theme of emergence and transformation.
At its heart, Quietude is both meditative and experimental. It honours the resilience of transition, the way we carry the past while stepping gently into new possibilities, finding beauty in the subtle shift from stillness to renewal.
Quietude - Sue Woolnough
Following a rewarding career as an art teacher, I have embraced my passion as a full-time practising artist. Experimentation and innovation lie at the heart of my practice, and over time, I have found my own distinctive style, an artist’s voice that remains vibrant even amongst continual exploration. I work across varied surfaces, techniques, and materials, often breaking conventional “rules” to uncover unexpected harmonies.
My interest in interior design informs my colour palettes, while expressive, gestural mark-making brings energy and rhythm to each piece. Guided by an intuitive process, supported by observation and photography, I allow paint and colour to lead, welcoming the surprises and challenges that arise.
Nature is my primary inspiration, yet my work is equally about the dialogue between the external landscape and the inner emotional world. Through layers of texture, movement, and colour, I aim to draw viewers in, encouraging both close engagement and moments of quiet contemplation.
Art-making for me is both a stimulating challenge and a mindful practice. Each painting evolves like a puzzle, resolved through openness and trust in the process. Beyond my own practice, I share this passion through workshops, fostering creativity and a genuine love of art in others