Anne Magill

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Since my show—A Sense of Someone—at the John Martin Gallery in 2019, I have moved into a new studio on a farm in the heart of the Sussex Downs. I split my time between working there and at home; trying to keep the messy charcoal works at the farm, to save my carpets at home!

I am working towards my next show.  All going well and Lockdown policy allowing, ‘live’ in June.  It starts at Cromwell Place in South Kensington on 30 June – 4 July and will move to the John Martin Gallery, 38 Albermarle Street, London W1, from 5 – 27 July. 

Last month I was so excited to hear that my pastel ‘September’, entered into the Pastel Society’s annual exhibition, had won two prizes. 

I made this drawing just after moving into my new studio during the first lockdown.  For a number of reasons I found it difficult to settle in.

I instinctively felt that working on this large drawing would help me bed in my new space and happily, it did.

The man in this portrait occasionally appears in my work, always silhouetted against the sky.  I like how he looks directly out to the viewer, not confrontational but with strength and confidence.

Now that I have this new website, I will keep it updated more regularly than hitherto!  I plan to share news with you all monthly on the ‘From the Studio’ page.

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This time of year, is my time to make order in the studio.

With an upcoming solo exhibition in June 2021, the place is full of drawings and paintings – at various stages of completion. In the early stages of a run up to a show, my studio can at times appear to be a chaotic mess. This is a result of working without reins or a clear direction; producing many paintings that may sit unfinished for some time.

So, this winter ‘spring clean’ not only brings order but a necessary pause to look at the new work and reflect on the way ahead, in the final months before the show.

There are ideas from my last exhibition ‘A Sense of Someone’ (John Martin Gallery Nov 2019) which, I will continue to explore in this new body of work.

In this short excerpt of from a Q&A at my last show, I talk about the making of ‘Homeward’. A recurring figure in my work. The poignancy of the lone figure walking through a landscape seems especially pertinent at this time.