Angela Garrod

I was born in Berlin Germany into an artist family and taught by my father an abstract oil painter and professional artist. He was my mentor, critic and teacher.

Surrounded by abstract art I suppose I rebelled preferring drawings with more realistic details telling a story. I think my German roots predispose me to love detail and precision hence my choice of preferred medium of colour pencil.  My work does not aim at photographic replication but tries to uncover hidden fine details through concept, texture, form, light and colour.

I have always drawn and painted when family and work commitments allowed and in recent years became a jewellery designer, maker and teacher. I only recently returned to my art after a long break.

My work consists of abstract monotype oils on paper but I predominantly work in colour pencil on paper. My interest and challenge of colour pencil lay in working with a medium not often used or even recognised as an art form. It is a very slow medium and requires extensive observational skills, patience and concentration. I love drawing birds and animals with their interesting textures of feathers and fur. But I also love anything botanical and still life which I set up in my studio.

My subject matter can be very eclectic and can come from many unexpected places. From colour to shapes, to found and everyday objects. My inspiration for my art comes from all the disciplines of the arts, the natural world and years of life’s experiences. They all leave a mark and are recalled at the appropriate time to create a new piece of work. For anyone viewing my art my aim has always been to evoke an emotional response, to inspire, to connect and to elevate the spirit. It does not matter to me if the response is negative or positive as long as the viewer does not show complete indifference.