After almost 20 years of painting landscapes, Talulah Lautrec-Nunes turned to abstracts. The move, despite a mixed mixed reaction, has been a positive one for Lautrec-Nunes, who enjoys the challenge and unexpected results of her new style.
Abstract painting in New Zealand is quite a hard sale,” she explains. “The average kiwi likes realism.”
Lautrec-Nunes finds that people are often looking for a hidden and non-existent subject matter in her work. “An abstract is just an abstract it's an emotional response to the work I seek. Either you love it or not.”
Emotional responses have been varied. Following the change of genre, Lautrec-Nunes’ work was dropped by several galleries who were primarily interested in her landscapes, which she now refuses to paint.
In the end, her resolute decision to focus only on abstracts has paid off.
"This year I have been picked up by three Auckland galleries and had a solo exhibition in New Plymouth in September.” Lautrec-Nunes has also been approached by Flagstaff Gallery in Auckland and has been offered a solo exhibition at Muse Gallery in Havelock North.
The mixed reactions of others are mirrored by Lautrec-Nunes’ own emotional journey throughout the creation of each piece.
Working on large canvases to facilitate the looseness that she is seeking, each work is painted in different layers of colour, applied with progressively smaller brushes as more detail appears. Holding the brushes at the ends keeps at bay any underlying need to be too controlled.
Lautrec-Nunes aims to not over-think the work. “I usually get into trouble when I analyse too much and the painting becomes tight and controlled. Then there is often tears and much stamping of feet and muttering under my breath. Usually by the second day I totally hate the work and doubt my abilities as an artist”.
“Abstract works are quite different from anything else I have ever painted. It took quite some time to learn to let go and not relate to anything at all when I paint. You don't know where to start, you have no idea how it's going and no idea how to finish. You just have to believe in yourself and push on until something evolves”.
“The hardest part is finishing a piece when you know one mark could either make it or ruin it completely. It's both thrilling and terrifying”.
Abstract painting in New Zealand is quite a hard sale,” she explains. “The average kiwi likes realism.”
Lautrec-Nunes finds that people are often looking for a hidden and non-existent subject matter in her work. “An abstract is just an abstract it's an emotional response to the work I seek. Either you love it or not.”
Emotional responses have been varied. Following the change of genre, Lautrec-Nunes’ work was dropped by several galleries who were primarily interested in her landscapes, which she now refuses to paint.
In the end, her resolute decision to focus only on abstracts has paid off.
"This year I have been picked up by three Auckland galleries and had a solo exhibition in New Plymouth in September.” Lautrec-Nunes has also been approached by Flagstaff Gallery in Auckland and has been offered a solo exhibition at Muse Gallery in Havelock North.
The mixed reactions of others are mirrored by Lautrec-Nunes’ own emotional journey throughout the creation of each piece.
Working on large canvases to facilitate the looseness that she is seeking, each work is painted in different layers of colour, applied with progressively smaller brushes as more detail appears. Holding the brushes at the ends keeps at bay any underlying need to be too controlled.
Lautrec-Nunes aims to not over-think the work. “I usually get into trouble when I analyse too much and the painting becomes tight and controlled. Then there is often tears and much stamping of feet and muttering under my breath. Usually by the second day I totally hate the work and doubt my abilities as an artist”.
“Abstract works are quite different from anything else I have ever painted. It took quite some time to learn to let go and not relate to anything at all when I paint. You don't know where to start, you have no idea how it's going and no idea how to finish. You just have to believe in yourself and push on until something evolves”.
“The hardest part is finishing a piece when you know one mark could either make it or ruin it completely. It's both thrilling and terrifying”.
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