Movingindoors

Studio Sink, acrylic, 32¼x23¼in (82x59cm). ‘This Butler sink in one of the studios at Central Saint Martins School of Art became the source of inspiration. Used for cleaning paint brushes over many years had resulted in a permanent and colourful build-up on the enamelled surface. What gave the subject a curiosity was the rhetorical question of how many artists had used and contributed to this transformation, and who had gone on to enjoy great acclaim in the art world. I felt the taps and exposed plumbing reflected something of a time warp. I added the soap and brush to emphasise that the studio was still in use. Van Dyke brown was applied fairly dry to the darker areas, enabling an underpainting of phthalo blue to show through, contrasting with the loose watercolour effect on the sink. Other colours used were: cobalt blue; white; carmine; and hansa yellow. Neocolor II watercolour crayons were used to enhance the sink colours.’

Creating a narrative and capturing a mood has always been Anne McCormack’s top priority, as well as the desire to pass onto the viewer the image that caught her imagination in the first place. Anne’s considered use of colour and light to describe shape, set the time of day or highlight particular sections or objects in a painting, are paramount in creating that all-consuming ambiance.

Having held roles as a council member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) and past vice president of the Society of Women Artists (SWA), Anne has a great insight into exhibition organisation and the background work that goes into running a society. After many years appearing in national art society open exhibitions and selling work through independent galleries and regional art shows, Anne’s first significant breakthrough was to be elected a full member of the SWA in 1994, followed in 2007 with election to the RI.

‘Working alone can often result in periods of self-doubt. Being accepted by a high-profile society gives a welcome boost to morale. Most important of all is the companionship of a group of like-minded people. Working as an artist can be a lonely occupation, so being able to encourage or commiserate with one another and to exchange advice and contacts is a great help. Societies also offer opportunities to participate in group or solo shows in ga