Artist of the Month – April

Heather Mackinlay

What are you working on now?
I am looking back over sketches and photographs I did in Walberswick, East Anglia last July and September. I adore Walberswick for it's windswept beaches and marshes.

How has lockdown affected your work?
As a plein air painter of a certain age ‘lockdown’ has affected me a lot. I have become slightly agoraphobic and have enjoyed reading some of the many art books I have bought over the years.

Recent technical discovery?
I am new to social media and have found Instagram very useful for posting my paintings and immediately getting feedback. I do, however, find the ratio of the image automatically transfers to a square format rather than landscape which is the shape of most of my work.

Favourite Painter?
This week - John Nash. I am currently reading his biography ‘John Nash Artist and Countryman’ by Andrew Lambirth. I am also reading the amazing psychological analysis of ‘Francis Bacon - Anatomy of an Enigma’ by Michael Peppiatt, just so that I don’t get too whimsical. I recall seeing Bacon one day in the cafe of Habitat in the King’s Road about 1978. I drew a profile of him on a Habitat napkin which I was rather proud of and had for years but eventually it got lost in all the moves I have made around the world.

Colour you can’t do without?
As a watercolourist I am torn between saying French Ultramarine and Cobalt Blue, both of which mix marvellously with Burnt Sienna and Light Red to make the most beautiful greys. You need a lot of greys to paint the English landscape!

Plein Air or Studio?
Plein Air for preference but the comfort of a flat table in a warm room and a pot of coffee can is so tempting.

Barnes secret for an artist?
The trees and spaces in between of Barnes Common

Favourite piece of kit?
My Marl stick. It comes apart into two pieces and is very useful for looking at wide views and then transferring horizons onto wide paper. You can also use it for bashing down nettles.

What makes Barnes special for an artist?
The unfolding plant life and wild nature which is carefully managed by the experienced and dedicated team of The Friends of Barnes Common. Barnes Common is an empathetic place to work for an artist.

When is my next show?
The next Barnes Artist Show is called Common Art in the summer. This show will celebrate the work and be a fundraiser for the Friends of Barnes Common. Details to be released soon.