I have a deep connection with the ocean and coastal landscapes of Devon and Cornwall. As well as being a passionate artist I am an avid surfer and have developed a physical relationship with the sea which now permeates my artistic practice. Through these works I aim to convey the sea’s rhythm, its natural energy, movement, and unpredictability.
I love working ‘en plein air’, and begin my paintings outside, immersed in the landscape and fully present in the moment. It allows me to work freely, playfully, experimentally and respond intuitively to the elements - it is where the essence of a painting first reveals itself.
The works mature and develop over time, outside in the environment and back in the studio. By combining drawing, painting and mark-making, I strive to bring a sense of life and movement to the canvas. I use acrylics and an assortment of techniques and drawing tools, including pencils, crayons and pastels. I apply the paint thinly, dripping and pouring, then thickly with a palette knife, to retain brushstrokes, I scrape and scratch back into the surface, etching in drawn marks, bringing depth and rich texture by building up the layers.
Each piece is a response to the energy and movement of the ocean, its shifting moods and its ever changing presence.
Kate Barker (b.1974) is a contemporary artist based in Devon, UK. With over 15 years experience she has an established practice exploring coastal and urban landscapes alongside wild botanicals found in nature.
She trained at Manchester University, graduating with a 1st in Textiles, subsequently attending the acclaimed Art School of Bellas Artes in Valencia, Spain. Kate also completed a traineeship with The LondonPrintStudios.
In London Kate established her practice alongside working as an Art Educator with cultural institutions such as The V&A, Greenwich Maritime Museum and Camden Arts Centre. In 2005 Kate returned to Devon to focus on her arts practice full time.
With gallery representation in the UK, her works are held in private collections worldwide.