May Spotlight: Veronica Liote – Figurative Artist
Veronica Lioté, known to readers as Nicky Harland, is a local artist and author originally from Brighton. After many years living in France, she has now made her home in Sandwich, where she has lived for the past 13 years.
She enjoys painting across a range of mediums, including oils, acrylics, watercolour, ink, porcelain painting and Chinese brush painting, which she studied while living in Paris. Much of her work is inspired by nature.
Veronica beautifully captures the idyllic riverside scenes and long shadows of the weeping willows in her Sandwich series “The Butts 1” and “The Butts 2”.
After taking time out to write her autobiography, “Wait Five Minutes and See What Happens”, she has returned to painting and is enjoying working with oils once again.
Veronica has exhibited her work in France and Sandwich. Her delightful pen and water colour paintings are always a popular addition to our Summer Art Exhibition.
While living in the south of France, Veronica was fortunate to be near the Etang de Fontmerle, which boasts one of the largest concentrations of lotus flowers in Europe.
“Any artist will know that inspiration is an illusive concept. I was asked to do a large oil paintin and, on this occasion, I didn’t have to look far”
In an extract from her autobiography Veronica explains “I took inspiration from a nearby lakewhich was almost entirely covered with lotus flowers. It was a spectacular sight.I took many photos and collated them to create my own image.
Autumn came and the lotus flowers died. The huge leaves started to change from the vibrant greens of Summer to the softer shades of Autumn, yellow, ochre, pink and brown. First they softened and became limp, draping around themselves. Then they became crisp and paper like. A metamorphosis.”
On closer examination
“Headlines” shows a pile of bloodied sardine heads discarded on a French newspaper. Their glassy eyes still catching the light. The image suggests the sharp saltiness of the sea mixed with the metallic trace of blood, as it is absorbed into the printed page. A lovely touch of humour in the composition and title.
Fittingly, this painting was shortlisted for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition – an achievement that stands as a source of immense pride for Veronica.
Veronica has chosen “La Vie en Rose” by Edith Piaf as her mood music. Seeing life through the rose coloured lens of love.
Explore more of Veronica’s work as an artist and author:
Facebook @veronicaliote
Facebook @nickyharlandauthor
www.instagram.com/nickyharlandauthor
