Colours save Audrey from black despair
Audrey believes water colour painting gave her the freedom to try her hand at abstract art which could not be found in a book.
Painting is not just a pastime for artist Audrey Roy, but about escaping the confines of a debilitating mental illness.
“For many years I took care of my dad. Five years ago when he passed away, I was alone with no idea of what to do with my time,” Audrey admitted.
It was quite by chance Audrey found solace in water colour painting which somehow seemed to fill the void of losing her dad and gradually drew her out of the clutches of a deep depression.
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A small craft set, complete with paint and a blank ceramic dog, was the gift from a friend that saved Audrey from the pit of despair – and so her journey with colour began.
“There were only six colours in the set. I painted that dog and immediately felt my mind relax,” she recalled.
From there Audrey’s interest continued to grow each time she painted. Eventually she enrolled in an art class offered by art tutor Suzette Maakal.
She eagerly attended Suzette’s painting classes every Wednesday and gradually her new found talent developed week after week. As Audrey became more confident and comfortable in her painting, she attempted to paint portraits and landscapes but today her favourite subjects are animals, especially dogs.
Audrey believes water colour painting gave her the freedom to try her hand at abstract art which could not be found in a book.
“Painting with water colours allows me to choose my colours and not necessarily stick to the conventional ones. I’ve even painted a multi-coloured dog,” she laughed.
Water colour painting also allows Audrey to adapt her artwork to her ever changing ideas and moods…she simply washes out the colour and replaces it with another one, even if its at the last minute of completion.
Audrey initially found her muse looking at interesting photographs that captured her attention as she browsed through magazines.
Over the years, she has mastered a plethora of painting techniques. Even utilising everyday household materials is not foreign to Audrey, as she uses them to create textures and shapes that intrigue her.
“Plastics and compasses are just some of the objects we use in the classroom when we paint. Literally anything can be used to create art,” she explained light-heartedly.
Art and painting has opened a world of beauty and tranquility for Audrey who believes, because of this, she has a different perspective on life.
“I enjoy painting colourful and vibrant subjects. It is what I’m attracted to,” she revealed.
Some of Audrey’s finest pieces are proudly displayed in her son’s living room at his home. One artwork can take up to nine hours to perfect and each masterpiece is unique in its story.
“There’s just something so therapeutic about painting. It’s a mood changer and gives you a sense of satisfaction,” she enthused.
Audrey believes that anyone can be an artist even if it’s just a hobby – and it’s not necessary to have a knowledge of art nor to have studied it. Audrey’s next challenge is to paint a black and white water colour.
“You basically use one colour, black – the rest is simply blending,” she concluded.
With a swish and a flick of her paint brush, Audrey started the process of breathing life into her next creation.
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