Felicity Osborne Art in the making
Formative Years
My artistic journey began at the tender age of eleven in the rural landscapes of south Shropshire, when I unexpectedly won a Cadbury's art competition. My mother, a supportive teacher, recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue my artistic interests. Under the guidance of Cecily Sash, a respected local South African artist, I was enrolled in classes at 13, honed my drawing and painting skills and built a strong foundation for my future artistic endeavors.
After completing a Fine Art (Hons) degree with a focus on sculpture, I transitioned to ceramics and ran a small pottery studio near Bristol for a couple of years. A PGCE in Art and Design led to secondary school art teaching positions at Marling Grammar and Lancing College, followed by a seven-year adventure in Hong Kong teaching English as a foreign language and starting a family.
Age 13
Age 15
Age 19
Age 26
Career
Upon returning to the UK, I settled in Worcestershire as a single parent and dedicated my time to raising my two boys while pursuing a career in education travel, with World Challenge. It wasn't until 2018 that I rediscovered my passion for creating art, stumbling upon acrylic fluid art techniques. This serendipitous discovery reignited my artistic spirit, leading me to explore new and exciting possibilities in this captivating medium.
Discovering fluid art techniques reignited my passion for art. Through countless hours of practice and experimentation, I gradually refined my skills. As my creations grew in size, I realized my kitchen was no longer a suitable workspace. The paint-splattered floor, countertops, and cooker became a clear sign that it was time for a change.
Inspired by the need for a dedicated studio, I transformed my dingy cellar into a creative haven. The project was completed just as the first lockdown began, providing me with the perfect opportunity to focus on my art. Working part-time as an art technician at RGS Worcester, I had the time to set up my new studio and take my artistic journey to the next level.
Since then, I've had the privilege of selling my work to clients across the UK and Europe as well as the United States.
It's a profound honor to know that people appreciate my artwork enough to make space for it in their homes.
Inspiration
Embracing the Unpredictable
The joy of non-representational painting lies in the spontaneity and intuition that guide each decision. The interplay of composition, tone, shape, and color, coupled with the unexpected surprises and unpredictability of the process, creates a dynamic and exhilarating challenge that keeps me constantly engaged.
The nature of the materials I work with and how the paint interacts with the canvas surface also significantly influence the final outcome. The consistency, density, and specific mixtures of mediums all play a vital role in shaping the unique characteristics of each painting.
Like many artists, I find inspiration in the natural world. The awe-inspiring beauty of space, galaxies, planetary surfaces, the movement of water, the ocean, sea, rock formations, rock strata, plants, and flowers all ignite my creative spark.