Louise McNaught (www.louisemcnaught.com)

In my world the animals are God-like, sublime and ethereal in their luminescence. My sensitive, soft approach suggests a delicate relationship between nature and ourselves, making a clear point about man's destruction of nature, which flutters jewel-like in the balance. I subvert traditional representation by hinting at darker consequences, yet giving animals an elevated status, as I am in awe of nature and this is the message I want to get across....

In the process of creating my work I begin with a fairly plain background or support, perhaps of just one colour, this creates an imaginary, numinous space for the creatures to exist. I want to draw the viewers attention to the animals presence and energy, so they feel connected to it. I tend to use neon or metallic paint to depict the animals as it makes them look like they are shining from within. I build the work up in thin layers of paint, so it slowly reveals itself to me as it comes into being. The animals that occur in my work predominantly have a connection to Celtic mythology, such as deer, bees, owls, rabbits and butterflies, with otherworldly creatures such as hummingbirds making an entrance from time to time...

(My work can be followed at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-McNaught-Contemporary-Artist/243286079036264?fref=ts and http://louisemcnaught.deviantart.com as well as @louise_mcnaught on twitter)

Exhibitions:

'Affordable Art Fair' with Degreeart, Hampstead,1-4th November 2012 .

'Affordable Art Fair' with Degreeart, Battersea 25-28th October 2012.

'On Ward', Psychology Unit at Kings College Hospital, London 10th October - February 2013.

'Art for Youth', Royal College of Art, Kensington, London, 10-11th October 2012.

Debut Contemporary, Notting Hill, London Sept 2012-Present.

'Summer Exhibition', View Gallery, Bristol, 12 July-11th September 2012.

'Projekt ', Degree Show, Gallery One, Vyner Street, London
4-7th July 2012.

'Projekt', Degree Show, K College Tonbridge,
19th-30th June 2012.

'Animals, strangeness', Salve Gallery, Leipzig, Germany,
19th June - 19th September 2012.

The Affordable Art Fair Old Brunel Station, Bristol
18th-20th May 2012.

Grand Designs Exhibition One Western Gateway, London
5th-13th May 2012.

Art Haus Degreeart, Vyner Street, London
3rd May-30th June 2012.

Pop Up Gallery Arty Magazine, Brighton
1st - 31st May 2012.

'Undo the Tangible Lloyd Gill Gallery, Wesyon-Super-Mare
14th April - 15th May 2012.

'Untitled' The Angel Centre, Exhibition
19th - 29th May 2011.

Artloco sculpture exhibition Ticehurst
28th February - 19th March 2011.

Maidstone Museum
26th January - 5th March 2011.

Bluemoon Gallery Tunbridge Wells
January - March 2011.

Winter Wobblybridge exhibition Tunbridge Wells
16th November 2010 - 29th January 2011.

Wellington Gate Tunbridge Wells
November 2010.

'The Light' Wobblybridge exhibition Tunbridge Wells
13th - 16th October 2010.

The Real Thing West Kent College, Tunbridge
6th - 8th October 2010.

Art Loco 'The Fringe' exhibition Ticehurst
2nd - 14th September 2010.