What inspires me
My ideas come from an interest in people's lives and story telling through the art of painting.
Every one of my subjects has a different style and requires a certain approach in research, preparation and painting.
I am inspired by The Bayeux Tapestry, (Russian) Religious Icons and early Medieval Art and Napoleon Bonaparte.
By combining the elements of Gothic Art like highly decorated and elongated figures, two dimensional space and random perspective with the elements of Mannerism (a development of the renaissance style) which are bright colours, dramatic movement, elaborate compositions I aim to achieve a totally unique style.
Once I have chosen a subject I collect suitable information and study
and get really involved. For the Lighthouse series I sailed on a
tallship for a day and visited several New Zealand lighthouses.
I have also been fortunate to be able to travel to places of interest (like the Bayeux Tapestry and Russia) for further research of my subjects.
As part of the narrative and communication I use symbolism, humour, different painting techniques and research different art styles like Byzantine and Aboriginal art.
Symbolism is used in the bird of freedom, people with no mouths and the many layers of paint, which represent the research and the greater meaning and truth of my work.
The ultimate aim of all this is to bring across to others the enjoyment and the passion it gives me.
More information under http://www.sjolander.com/viking/museum/