Lucy Bristow

Lucy Bristow, is an artist living and working in Brighton. She studied Fine Arts BA (hons) in Bristol.

What inspires your work as an artist?

I get inspiration from all sorts of places, I am particularly interested in how we as people leave our imprint on nature. My recent series of paintings are inspired by the colour and sense of infiltration of harsh artificial lights at dusk. At this time of day it is often hard to see what is in front of you. Eyes are tricked by the glaring artificial lights and often it is difficult to distinguish what the eyes see. This can be a very uncomfortable experience, despite the allure of the fascinating colour palette.
I get my source material from where the urban life around my home town of Brighton meets the South Downs.

Who are your biggest influences?

My influences are wide ranging, Helen Frankenthaler for her colour, Rachel Whiteread and Mondrian’s negative space works, Matisse, Cezanne, quotes in books, films, conversations, and all the brilliant artists who I get to see and sometimes meet on Instagram!

What does your work mean to you?

I have always painted as a way of expression, I can’t imagine not doing so. It is an integral part of me and comes from an inner sense which has not always reached the conscious part of me. As a result sometimes the most recent paintings are ones I find difficult to articulate about. I need some distance and time to bring ideas to the conscious mind.

What techniques do you use?

I like to work quickly to convey a sense of emotion about a place. For this reason I currently use mostly acrylic paints. I like the fact they are fast drying and I can build up the layers and mark making to tell their own story. I will also mix in other materials, such as pencil, charcoal, or oil pastel.