Zoe E Adams is an artist late to emerge in the autumn of her life. Using her spare time to learn about art, with lessons, reading and practising, Adams is now ready to share her work. Adams describes her style as; semi-abstract, impressionist. The use of Colour often takes priority. Oil paint is her favourite medium as she Ioves the buttery texture as it is applied to the surface. In search of opportunities to display her art in public spaces for others to see in everyday life, Adams art is displayed in office spaces, apartments, restaurants, hotels, cafés and homes. Adams wants to define the space with energy, life and love.
Adams work has been described as arresting, thought-provoking with warmth, energy and intrigue.
Self-taught or art school?
Not completely self-taught, as I have attended courses over the years, including watercolour painting around 30 years ago, a drop-in session 15 years ago and more recently an online abstract landscape course. I read about art and its history in books, tv and via the internet, it’s amazing what you can find on YouTube and Instagram.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Any easy answer, I already own the work. It is by a dear artist and lifelong friend of my parents, Richard Cull (Munich and Italy), still alive today, he had to have his arm amputated due to cancer in his painting arm and now paints with his remaining one.
It’s a scene of the Weymouth dock in the 1960’s. His work has inspired me all of my life and whilst there are many great artists the personal connection makes this work priceless to me.
How would you describe your style?
Semi – abstract and impressionist.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
It starts with looking. If I see a scene or image or colour of something that catches my eye, I usually take a photo, this is a record to remind me. It can be anything from an old worn doormat to a breathtaking scene.
Some images I need to process before I want to paint and others are best if I can take back to do straight away. I don’t generally prepare anything, I plunge straight in with my brush.
I am looking for the spontaneous energy that has connected me to that scene, the life and spirit of it, and the instant personal connection. I could liken it to love at first sight. It’s often the most spontaneous work that I love the best it creates the freedom deep from within me that is otherwise lost.
Is narrative important within your work?
We know all know the saying ‘every painting tells a story.
If you were to go to a beach full of pebbles and you are asked to pick just one to take home, there is usually one that appeals more at that moment alone, than the other million that you leave behind. We all have a connection with the universe, from the past and each second in time. For me, painting is the opportunity to capture that small moment with art usually in a picture.
Life and the energy of life that we encounter every day, is important to me, a piece of fruit and the energy it needed to grow in itself has narrative all of its own, by painting it, I have captured its energy and given it another.
The number 3 is very significant throughout my life, for many reasons. I was brought up in a family with my Mum and Sister for starters, I had 2 best friends at school and we were always best when we were all together. I now have a son and a daughter making it 3.
The personification of objects are often the subject of my work, they tell a story that allows my expression of deeply personal introspection.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I am like a magpie in this respect, I have masters – Talisman’s who I turn to when I am not finding my own solution, this includes the masters – Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Mark Rothko, Degas, Monet, Kandinski,
The inspiring artists include GillIan Ayers, Barbara Hepworth, Ivon Hitchens, Paul Klee, Nicolas de Staël
What or who inspires your art?
Colour, shape, and light are my inspiration and passion. Nature, and architecture, both housing and industrial historic antiquities together with the physical things that connect humans to our existence. I like to be true to myself, I am my own inspiration.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I have studio space currently in both homes in Leicester in the UK and a tiny village of Colledimezo in Abruzzo Italy.
Next year I am planning to restore an old building in the village into a studio space.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Ha ha, rituals like dancing around a totem pole? no, but painting naked in the heat of the Italian sun is beginning to have some appeal!
Having a disciplined structure to the day helps to make it more productive.
I like to take a walk first light in the morning, or as dusk approaches, mostly to observe nature and ever-changing landscape.
What are you working on currently?
My exhibition tour – Dall’ Oscurità – From the darkness focused on the emotion and despair we have all gone through during the lockdown. The interest in the tour is growing by the day and will take place virtually with the Flux review July 10th, 3-5th August my Italian home Colledimezzo followed by my Solo exhibition in Fallo Abruzzo Italy 21 – 29th August in collaboration with Finnish, journalist Minna Lymi and husband Mikko.
My dream is for it to tour locally in Abruzzo and it would be amazing to take it even further.
I am also making my next series of work – ‘In bed with the Orchids’
Where can we buy your art?
I am seeking representation from a gallery or agent currently.
My website allows for people to make contact to purchase prints and original work at Zoe-E-Adams.com
August 21- 29 exhibition details and prints will be available to purchase – Dall’Oscurita, works including paintings, prints, and original work as well as some new exciting lighting work.
Original paintings and prints of the Abruzzo region is also due to be for sale at Abruzzo Rural Property, San Salvo, Italy. The space is kindly being offered to display my work to those buying homes in Italy.
