Artist Statement
Since 2013 I have been building up a collection of illustrations and prints of Derbyshire-based iconic buildings and landmarks, all steeped in history, all with a story to tell. With a genuine interest in our heritage and an incessant need to understand (completely) my subject-matter, through research and collecting visual historical references, the ‘Hidden Histories’ concept was created. Faced with the challenge of not only producing an accurate artwork of each building, I set myself the task of ‘building in’ the story behind it.
Embedded within each art work are details of the building’s/landmark's unique history. After careful selection of the 'Hidden Histories' in the form of black and white images which are pasted onto the orignal pencil outline of my subject, the pastel and pencil crayon are then applied. This layering technique gradually conceals the Hidden Histories, encouraging the viewer to look deeper into the picture and cross-reference their own findings. This unique quality adds a new depth to the illustration, one that has proved popular with my customers and followers from the outset.
Having built up a collection of fifteen Buxton illustrations and six Bakewell illustrations, my fascination with historical stories, last year, took me to The Royal Albert Hall, London. The finished piece was received with enthusiasm and the story behind its creation, together with work in progress images, published as a Blog on their website.https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2018/may/hidden-hist...
Personal commissions have also permitted me a privileged insight into the stories behind family homes, landscapes, holiday homes, wedding and special occasion venues and even student homes. Entry into the prestigious Buxton Spa Prize Open Competition over four consecutive years has seen my work awarded three times. The involvement with competition has been inspiring, with diverse collections of work by artists from all over the country all illustrating the beauty of our Spa Town of Buxton, itself so rich in history.
I am presently building a website but post regularly on Facebook and instagram (rebecca clitheroe artist). Supplied in local retail outlets or privately, all images are giclee printed on high quality textured card. All my works are available from 6' x 4' mini prints up to A1 mounted prints framed or unframed and can be hand finished with silver or gold glitter on request.
