Miranda Halsby RBA

Statement

My work reflects my life and interests and I am inspired by the surroundings of my studio in Dorset and my home in Languedoc, France. I am interested in people and I enjoy painting groups involved in activities that they enjoy, such as market scenes, village fetes and people playing boules. I also love the landscape of Dorset and France, especially the visual qualities that these can give to a picture and I seek pattern out in leaves, roofs, buildings and trees. Sunlight is also very important, giving the light and dark tones necessary to produce a successful etching and a bold, exciting image.

Methodology

My prints are inspired by my surroundings and I often make initial drawings and sketches in-situ. These are quick and spontaneous and I aim to capture the energy of a place or event. Once I have found a theme, I take photographs and do more detailed drawings as a way of establishing the composition in my mind. I then transfer these directly onto a waxed plate and begin the etching process. I have a fairly traditional method of printmaking - using copper plates for their excellent quality of line and oil-based inks for their rich colour. I am, however, very interested in reducing the chemical usage in my studio, and I have recently been experimenting with water-based inks and chemical free acids. the results of these have been promising and I continue to experiment.I use aquatint etching as a way of creating tone and I combine this with more detailed linear work to create a sense of place. In a slight departure from traditional methods of etching, I like to explore colour. Sometimes I use a single colour for an image, but often I will combine two or three contrasting plates to build up the picture.

Bio

1948 Born in London

Studied Art at Hornsey Colleges of Art and then trained as an Occupational Therapist, using art and craft as a treatment in hospitals

Opened the Highgate Gallery with husband Julian, an established art gallery that ran for 10 years

Studied printmaking at Hampstead School of Art

2001 Elected a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists

2008 Runs the Newland Gallery, Sherbourne, Dorset