Unchained

This work is based on a reference photo taken on my local trail back in Summer. I had a long day of back-to-back meetings while working from home. As soon as I ended my last meeting of the day I went for a walk on the trail to catch the last rays of sun as it was setting. And it felt so good to be out there, finally unchained from the desk and in the sunshine. I’ve exaggerated the colours in the painting to try and capture the joy of being outside and mentally free from all responsibilities, even if it’s just for a brief moment in time.

I've tried my best to provide clear and accurate photos of this work, but please note that colour nuances may not be captured perfectly by digital media and vary from screen to screen.

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I create art as a hobby, both to completely disconnect from my corporate job and to reconnect with my inner child who loved to draw, design, imagine and make. I’m self-taught, with a love for the different modern western art movements that occurred between the late 1800s and in to the first half of the 20th century.

My intention when I paint is not to achieve realism, but to bring the viewer into the painting to experience a fleeting, yet common human feeling, thought or observation - a familiarity to remind us that we're not alone in our experiences. To express this, I like to play with colour and loose brushstrokes, and be open to a range of styles from landscapes and figurative paintings, to still lifes and abstraction.

After completing a Masters Degree in Art History in 2020 I realised that there are so many other kinds and styles of art that inspire me and for which I hope to continue studying and reflecting in my own practice. I aim to learn something new with everything I create, which is what motivates me to continue to make art.

You can find more on my Instagram @jhoannamonteart