An art school graduate, Isabel initially channelled her creativity into gastronomy, becoming an accomplished chef. Her passion for visual art never waned and she kept a sketchbook close at hand throughout her culinary career. A few years ago, Isabel decided it was time to focus again on her artistic development.
Inspired by the likes of Cy Twombly, Miró, Basquiat, Ellsworth Kelly, Paul Klee and David Hockney, Isabel's practice is a deep exploration of colour, shape, texture and balance. She loves playing with contrast, juxtaposing the flat, flawless fields of acrylic paint against the raw, expressive energy of oil bars and chalk. By layering fine lines in pen or pencil, she builds an intricate sense of depth. While the final composition may look effortless or simple, it is the result of careful, slow consideration, built up layer by layer over time.
Her palette is grounded in an intimate observation of the natural world, constantly drawing from the specific hues found in the environment. Isabel captures the vivid greens of lichen, moss, and fresh spring leaves, alongside the endless, subtle spectrum of greys found in pebbles. Her work also explores the striking clash of sugary neon skies against dark, earthy horizons and the dramatic tension between storm clouds and bright blue seas. Even when a piece reads as purely abstract, its DNA is entirely rooted in these landscapes.
To begin a painting, Isabel often looks to geometric shapes, finding these perfect, orderly forms deeply grounding. They provide a structural anchor when set against freer, more chaotic elements, painterly abstract brushstrokes, wobbly lines, scratches and spontaneous scribbles.
Ultimately, her work is a balancing act of colour, texture and form. Her goal is simply to catch the eye and invite the viewer in, encouraging them to feel a connection to the canvas, whether that means feeling intrigued, rested, amused, calm or just experiencing a fleeting moment of joy.
