Lesley Carruthers

Having worked as a sculptor for over fifteen years, creating abstract sculptures in aluminium and bronze, and with public sculptures in West Mersea, Essex and in Helensburgh, it is now something of a surprise to be creating art solely in two dimensions, especially using the relatively obscure medium of alcohol ink. Abstract still rules though, and the process is the same, utilising minimal left-brain logic, planning and rationalisation, and allowing the intuitive and instinctive elements in the right brain to take charge. 

Digital art is a relatively new venture for me. It developed out of fine-tuning photographs of my paintings, which progressed to wider manipulation, rendering the original photo unrecognisable. This is producing some interesting results, which I now sell as original digital fine art prints, professionally printed on archival quality paper.

It is clear that life is bittersweet and that joy and sorrow are intermingled. Covid reinforced not only the pure pleasure to be found in painting, but also the sense that life is precarious, and suffering is all around. This prompted the decision to use all art income to benefit others, going forward. Accordingly, since the first lockdown, all sales proceeds from art have been donated to charity, currently over £10,500.