CALIOPE (Cali Norton)
www.ArtPal.com/caliopeFrom an early age, my love of colour, design and patterns was encouraged
by my mother, herself an artist. Having studied ‘A’ Level Graphic Design and Illustration, during my career as an English teacher I continued to paint as a hobby, mentored and inspired by professional tutors. Now retired from full-time teaching, I have gradually developed my own style.
I find inspiration in: our Dorset village of Marnhull; the Blackmore Vale and the Jurassic Coastline; our travels abroad; ‘other’ worlds… and, in particular, in deeply-felt life experiences echoed in literature, especially poetry and mythology. Working from my inner landscape of “emotion recollected in tranquility,” I create vibrant, stylised and symbolic artwork filtered through memory and imagination. As I paint, meanings, stories and images evolve and deepen of their own accord. Often suggesting allegorical, timeless events, my paintings capture a sense of place and/or spirituality.
Having been always fascinated by Palaeography, iconic visual symbols from ancient writing systems as well as Calligraphic markings can be found in my work; and I have designed an original Pictographic alphabet which I use in some paintings, especially those created on Chinese rice paper.
I employ a variety of techniques: collage, marbling, textured surfaces, lino/mono-printing, watercolour and inks on Xuan rice paper etc. I also enjoy using a variety of mediums: watercolours, pastels, modelling paste, acrylic inks and paints, gouache, gesso, pen/black inks etc; and, at the moment, I am experimenting with Brusho and Zen-tangling! This is a joyful never-ending journey: “As long as I can paint, I am on the Path to understanding what ‘it’ is all about.” (P Wolff)
BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES etc
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE/SPIRITUALITY
QUIRKY LANDSCAPES!
SEA, RIVER, BEACH AND UNDERWATER
FLOWERS
MYTHOLOGY AND SYMBOLISM
STILL LIFE
INDIA
LANDSCAPES AND SPECIAL PLACES
CHRISTMAS