CALIOPE (Cali Norton)
www.ArtPal.com/caliopeMy mother (herself an artist) first encouraged my love of colour, design and patterns. Then, having studied Graphic Design/Illustration for ‘A’ Level, I continued to paint as a hobby during my career as an English teacher. Mentored and inspired by professional tutors, (and now retired from full-time teaching), I have gradually developed my own style.
I find inspiration in many places: in the Dorset village of Marnhull where we live; in the Blackmore Vale itself; in the Jurassic Coastline; in our travels abroad; in ‘other’ worlds… and, in particular, deeply-felt life-experiences echoed in literature, especially poetry and mythology. With images filtered through memory and imagination, and working from my inner landscape of “emotion recollected in tranquility,” I create vibrant, stylised and symbolic artwork. As I paint, meanings, stories and images evolve and deepen of their own accord: often suggesting allegorical, timeless events, my paintings try to capture a sense of place and/or spirituality.
Having always been fascinated by Handwriting and Paleography, iconic visual symbols from ancient writing systems as well as Calligraphic markings can be found in much of my work; and I have designed an original Pictographic alphabet which I use in some paintings, especially those created on 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