Di Guttridge

I am an amateur artist living in East Northamptonshire. Until 2016 I worked as a psychotherapist, but then, having discovered a passion for painting, I decided to close my psychotherapy practice and dedicate my time to art. I see a correlation between psychotherapy and art, as both are about deepening self-awareness and developing emotional connections. A fundamental aspect of being human is the desire to feel an authentic connection between ourself and others. What connects us is the transfer of energy through emotion. When painting I am attempting to capture an emotion and to convey this to the viewer.

I grew up in the Derbyshire Peak District surrounded by magnificent hills and dales. A love of open landscape and the need for the felt sense of space was bred into me. When out in a landscape, or indeed, when in any awe-inspiring place, I breathe it in. To breathe in is to inspire. I take this inspiration into my studio, where I draw on memories of the sensory experience to produce expressive abstract paintings.

I use oils and cold wax to create paintings that are multilayered and highly textured. My process is driven by color. I create a wide spectrum of color relationships and gradually develop and refine them into an orchestrated piece.

The inspiration for my work is my felt response to the beauty of the natural world, in particular to colors and to the impact of light. Through the action of painting, with bold use of color and texture, I attempt to capture and convey a sense of awe and wonder. My intention is that the viewer should be able to be drawn into the painting, inviting contemplation and a sense of connection.