Erin Forbes-Buthlay

As an artist, Erin has always found total abstraction the most compelling and challenging form to paint. To further challenge herself in the studio, Erin has been experimenting with portraiture and referencing. This new way of working has engaged the artist into questioning choices, identity and connections to her work. The portraits produced are using references of herself or her close family, furthering the connection of self in the work. Although the artist find portraits an engaging form of painting, it does not feel like a true self reflection of the artist. The true representation of the artist comes from her abstract works.

Erin has a strong connection to the Abstract Expressionism movement from the 1950’s. Strong brushstrokes, large confident gestures and working on painting as a completely physical activity. Focusing on pure abstraction when painting, allowing the materials to dictate the progress of the painting is very important to the artist. Erin works with the paintings, allowing them to soak up the pigments and decide where they would like to sit. Highlighting marks are made throughout the stage of creation, the artist picks out elements of interest and layers over the top. Erin views her works as whole, each detail is as important as what is underneath. The artist works through response, analysing the changing reactions on the materials and acting on those changes.